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(J)rofe66or  T3?iffiam  J5^^^  (Breen 

Q$equeaf^b  6g  ^im  fo 
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(Princeton  C^eofo^tcaf  ^eminarj^ 


Studies  in  the  Book. 


^htxA  ^ttitff. 


Coniaining   Studies   on   the  Later  Epistles   of  St.  Paul,  including 

Colossians,  Epkesiatis,  PhilSiton,  Philippians,  Hebrezus, 

I.    Timothy,   Titus,  and  II.    Timothy. 


REVERE   FRANKLIN    WEIDNER, 

Profetsor  and  Doctor  of  Theology, 


Prkparkd  for  Use  in  the  Summee  Schools  of  the  American  Institute 
OF  Sacred  Literature. 


: :  jflemttt^  t).  IRerell  : : 


CHICAGO; 
l4Sand  150  Madison  Street. 


NEW  YORK: 
12  Bible  House,  Astor  Place. 


•  : :  publisbec  of  evangelical  literature 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1890,  by 

FLEMING  H.  REV  ELL, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 


TO 

THE  VENERABLE 

TuvEY  N.  Hasselquist,  D.  D., 

one  of  the  founders  of  the  swedish 

Lutheran  Church  in  America,  whose  character  and 

scholarship  have  left  their  impress  upon  the 

clergy  of  the  church,  these  studies  in 

the  book  are  most  respectfully 

dedicated  by  the 

AUTHOR. 


CONTENTS    OF    STUDIES. 


I.  The  Epistle  to  the  Colossians,         ...  9 

II.  The  Teaching  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Colossians,  19 

III.  The  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians,          .             .  .25 

IV.  The  Teaching  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians,  32 
V.  The  Epistle  to  Philemon,     .            .  .40 

VI.  The  Epistle  to  the  Philippians,              .            .  43 

VII.  The  Teaching  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Philippians,  50 

VIII.  The  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,       ...  52 

IX.  The  Teaching  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  72 

X.  The  First  Epistle  to  Timothy,                 .            .  82 

XI.  The  Teaching  of  the  First  Epistle  to  Timothy,  92 

XII.  The  Epistle  to  Titus,        ....  98 

XIII.  The  Second  Epistle  to  Timothy,       .            .  .102 

Index,         .......  106 


PREFACE. 


These  "Outline  Studies  "  have  been  prepared  partly  for  the 
use  of  the  Students  of  the  English  Bible,  attending  the  Summer 
Schools  of  the  American  Institute  of  Sacred  Literature,  but  more 
especially  as  a  guide  and  text-book  for  use  in  advanced  Bible 
classes,  and  in  such  Collegea  and  Theological  Seminaries,  in 
which  the  Englisli  Bible  is  studied. 

It  isdiot  expected  that  any  of  these  Studies  are  to  be  finished 
ia  an  hour.  On  some,  the  leader  of  the  class  may  spend  even 
a  dozen  hours  profitably.  The  writer,  after  a  trial  ot  various 
plans,  finds  that  the  most  satisfactory  work  can  be  done  by 
expounding  the  contents  of  these  Studies  to  his  classes,  in  ad- 
vance, following  these  notes  as  an  outlme,  and  in  assigning 
special  topics  for  study  to  different  students,  and  at  the  next 
meeting,  spending  about  half  the  time  in  examination,  and  in 
the  presentation  of  the  matter  prepared  by  the  members  of  the 
class,  and  then  using  the  other  half  of  the  hour  in  explaining 
the  advance  lesson.  Having  these  outlines  in  their  possession 
students  do  not  need  to  take  any  notes  in  class,  but  the  work 
has  been  interleaved  so  that  additional  notes  may  be  made,  as 
the  result  of  private  study. 

Believing  that  the  Bible  is  the  Word  of  God,  the  infallible 
guide  for  our  daily  life,  and  the  absolute  rule  of  our  faith,  and 

7 


8  Preface. 

holding  that  there  is  a  unity  of  Biblical  truth,  great  stress  has 
been  laid  upon  the  exact  and  positive  meaning  of  each  passage, 
and  upon  the  importance  of  the  comparative  study  of  the 
Scriptures. 

This  work  is  a  continuation  of  "Studies  in  the  Book,"  First 
and  Second  Series,  and  completes  the  New  Testament. 

Evangelical  Lutheran 
Augustana  Theological  Seminary,  R.  F.  W. 

Rock  Island,  lU. 
July  10, 1890. 


STUDY     I. 

The  Epistle  to  the  Colossians. 

First:  Read  the  Epistle  carefully  and  note  what  information 
Paul  gives  concerning  himself  and  the  circumstances  under 
which  the  letter  was  written. 

(1)  Paul  was  in  prison  at  the  time  of  writing,  4:  3,  18. 

(2)  With  hopes  of  being  free,  4:  3. 

.   (3)  He  had  never  seen  the  Christians  at  Colossse,  2: 1. 

(4)  Epaphras,  a  native  of  Colosste,  through  whom  that  whole 
district  was  evangelized,  was  now  with  Paul  (4:  12,  13),  "my 
fellow-prisoner  in  Christ  Jesus,"  Philemon  23. 

(5)  It  was  through  Epaphras  that  Paul  had  heard  of  the  faith 
and  love  of  the  Colossians,  1:4,  7,  8. 

(6)  And  that  they  were  in  danger  of  some  doctrinal  (2:8,  18) 
and  practical  errors,  2:  20-23. 

(7)  Tychicus  is  to  bear  this  letter  to  Colossse,  4:7,  8. 

(8)  Who  is  to  be  accompanied  by  Onesimus,  4:  9. 

(9)  Paul  has  faithful  friends  with  him — Aristarchus,  Mark,  and 
Justus  (4:  10,  11),  Timothy  (1:1),  Epaphras  (4:  12),  Luke,  and 
Demas,  4: 12. 

(10)  From  Eph.  6:  21  (Ephesians  being  evidently  the  circular 
letter  referred  to  in  Col.  4: 16),  and  from  Philemon  11,  23 
compared  with  Col.  4:  7-9,  we  learn  that  Tychicus  was  the 
bearer  of  the  letters  to  the  Colossians,  Ephesians  and  Phile- 
mon. 

(11)  These  three  letters  were  therefore  written  about  the  same 
time,  and  the  bearer  was  Tychicus,  accompanied  by  Onesi- 
mus, Col.  4:  9;  Philemon  11,  12. 

(12)  A  few  scholars  have  thought  that  these  three  letters  were 
written  at  Csesarea,  during  Paul's  two  years  of  imprisonment 
there,  recorded  in  Acts  24:  23-27. 

(13)  But  the  reasons  given  by  Meyer  are  very  weak,  and  it  is 
the  opinion   of  all  modern  critics  that  these  letters  were 


10  Studies  in  the  Book. 

written  during  Paul's  first  captivity  at  Rome,  during  the 
two  years  spoken  of  in  Acts  28:  30  (61-63  A.  D.) 

(14)  It  is  a  difficult  matter  to  decide  whether  these  three 
Epistles  (Col.,  Eph.,  Philemon)  were  written  before  or  after 
the  Epistle  to  the  Philippians,— which  latter  was  also 
written  during  Paul's  imprisonment  at  Rome. 

(15)  This  question  is  of  no  importance,  but  it  seems  most  prob- 
able that  Philippians  was  written  last,  towards  the  close  of 
his  first  captivity  at  Rome.^ 

Second:  Colossse,  with  the  neighboring  towns  of  Laodicea  and 
Hierapolis  (4:  13)  was  situated  in  the  south-western  part  of 
Asia  Minor,  in  the  valley  of  the  Lycus,  a  tributary  to  the 
IV^seander. 

Third:  That  whole  district  was  evangelized  by  the  preaching  of 
Epaphras  (4:  13,  13),  possibly  while  Paul  was  at  Ephesus  (54- 
57  A.  D.),  Acts  19:  10. 

Fourth:  Read  the  Epistle  carefully  and  note  what  information 
you  can  obtain  about  the  Church  at  Colossae. 

(1)  In  time  past  they  had  been  alienated  from  and  enemies  to 
God,  1:21. 

(2)  Dead  through  trespasses,  2:  13. 

(3)  Sons  of  disobedience,  and  under  the  wrath  of  God,  3:  6,  7; 
under  the  power  of  darkness,  1:  13. 

(4)  But  they  had  been  converted  by  the  preaching  of  Epaphras, 
1:  5-7,  translated  into  the  Kingdom  of  the  Son,  1:  13. 

(5)  And  have  become  "saints  and  faithful  brethren  in  Christ," 
1:1. 

(6)  Noted  for  their  faith  and  love,  1 :  4,  7. 

(7)  Reconciled  to  God,  and  unreprovable  before  him,  so  long 
as  they  continue  in  the  faith,  and  are  not  moved  away  from 
the  hope  of  the  gospel,  1 :  22,  23. 

(8)  They  are  warned  against  a  false  philosophy,  2:  8. 

(9)  Against  Judaic  ritualism,  2:  16;  and  worship  of  angels, 
2:18. 

(10)  They  are  warned  against  a  false  asceticism,  2:  20-23. 

(11)  Their  teacher  and  pastor,  Archippus,  was  to  be  exhorted, 
4:17. 

1  students  of  the  Englieh  test  will  find  the  other  view  ably  presented  by 
Moule  in  his  Commentary  on  Philippians  (Cambridge  Series),  while  students 
of  the  Greek  text  will  find  the  same  view  ably  advocated  by  Lightfoot. 


The  Epistle  to  the  Colossians.        .  11 

Fifth:  The  object  of  the  Epistle  is  to  warn  the  Colossians 
against  a  system  of  false  teaching: 

"(1)  Partly  oriental  and  theosophistic  in  its  character,  3:  18; 
"(2)  Partly  Judaical  and  ceremonial,  2:  16; 
"(3)  Which  was  tending,  on  the  one  hand,  directly  to  obscure 

the  majesty  and  glory  of  Christ,  1: 15;  2:  8,  9; 
"(4)  And,  on  the  other,  to  introduce  ritualistic  observances, 

especially  on  the  side  of  body  austerities,  2:  16-23; 
"(5)  Opposed  alike  to  the  simplicity  and  freedom  of  the  gospel, 

2:20; 
"(6)  And  to  all  true  and  vital  union  with  the  risen  Lord,  3:1." 

{ElUcott.) 
Sixth:  The  exact  nature  of  this  Colossian  heresy  has  been  the 
subject  of  much  discussion. 
(1)  We  may  infer  the  presence  of  two  elements  in  this  heresy, 

—one  Judaic,  and  the  other,  Gnostic  or  Oriental. 
(3)  These  two  elements  are  so  closely  interwoven  in  Paul's 

refutation,  that  it   is  almost  impossible  to  separate  them, 

2:8-28. 

(3)  The  Judaic  elements  can  be  more  readily  discerned: 
(a)  The  distinction  of  meats  and  drinks,  2: 16; 

{b)  The  observance  of  Sabbaths  and  new  moons,  2:  16; 
(c)  Of  human  ordinances,  2:  21,  22; 
{(l)  Of  circumcision,  2: 11. 

(4)  The  Gnostic  elements  are  not  so  readily  discerned. 

(5)  Gnosticism  in  general  had  certain  distinguishing  features  :i 
(«)  It  laid  great  stress  upon  knowledge,  which  was  the  exclu- 
sive privilege  of  the  select  few. 

(6)  Its  intellectual  questions  were  mainly  twofold:  How  can 
the  work  of  Creation  be  explained?  and  How  are  we  to 
account  for  the  existence  of  evil? 

(c)  The  false  solution  it  finally  reached  was  that  evil  had  its 
origin  and  abode  in  matter,  in  the  material,  sensible 
world. 

(d)  To  explain  how  God,  who  is  perfect,  could  create  matter, 
which  is  evil,  they  maintained  that  there  were  certain  suc- 
cessive evolutions  or  emanations  of  God,  in  which  the 
divine  element  became  feebler,  until  at  length  contact 
with  matter  was  possible,   and  creation  ensued.     These 

1  Compare  the  able  Dissertation  of  LigUtfcot  on  "The  Colossian  Heresy," 
in  his  Commentary  on  Colossians. 


13  Studies  in  the  Book. 

evolutions  and  emanations  are  the  so  called  aeons  or  angels 
of  the  Gnostics, 
(e)  To  the  practical  question  how  man  is  to  avoid  sin,  and 
keep  his  higher  nature  unsullied, — if  matter  is  the  prin- 
ciple of  evil, — Gnosticism  had  two  directly  opposite  an- 
swers: 
(1)  Rigid  asceticism,  and  (2)  Unrestrained  licentiousness. 

(6)  A  close  study  of  the  Epistle  proves  that  the  error  of  the 
heretical  teachers  whom  Paul  combats  was  twofold: 

(a)  A  false  conception  in  theology; 

(b)  A  false  basis  of  morals. 

(7)  Both  these  errors  had  their  root  in  the  fundamental  error, 
that  matter  was  the  abode  of  evil',  and  thus  antagonistic  to 
God. 

(8)  The  Apostle  answers  both  these  elements  of  false  doctrine 
by  the  great  truth — "  the  conception  of  the  Person  of  Christ 
as  the  one  absolute  mediator  between  God  and  man,  the  true 
and  only  reconciler  of  heaven  and  earth"  (Lightfoot). 

Seventh:  The  distinctive  feature  of  this  Epistle  is  its  Christol- 
ogy.  The  doctrine  of  the  Person  of  Christ  is  here  stated 
with  greater  precision  and  fulness  than  in  any  other  of  Paul's 
epistles. 

Eighth:  "In  reference  to  ih.Q  genuineiiess  d^niX  authenticity  of 
this  Epistle  it  may  be  said  briefly  that  no  doubts  have  been 
urged  that  deserve  any  serious  consideration  "  {ElUcott). 

Ninth:  "  The  similarity  between  many  portions  of  this  Epistle 
and  that  to  the  Ephesians  has  often  been  noticed,  and  the  claim 
to  priority  of  composition  much  debated"  {Ellicott). 

Tenth:  The  similarity  is  explained  by  the  fact  that  the  two 
Epistles  were  written  about  the  same  time,  and  addressed  to 
Churches  near  each  other,  needing  the  same  instruction  and 
advice. 

Eleventh:  The  nature  of  the  contents  of  the  two  Epistles  seems 
to  harmonize  best  with  the  opinion  that  the  Epistle  to  the 
Colossians  was  written  first.  It  is  the  germ  of  which  the  letter 
to  the  Ephesians  is  a  more  elaborate  expansion.  It  bears  the 
same  relation  to  Ephesians  as  Galatians  does  to  Romans. 

Twelfth:  On  a  careful  reading  of  the  Epistle  we  see  it  natural- 
ly divixles  itself  into  five  parts: 
I.     Col.  1:  1-13,  Introduction. 
11.    Col.  1: 14-3:  3,  Doctrinal. 


The  Epistle  to  the  Colossians.  18 

III.  Col.  2:  4-3:  4  Polemical. 

IV.  Col.  3:  5-4:  6,  Hortatory. 

V.     Col.  4:  7-18,  Personal.    {Lightfoot.) 
Thirteenth:  Read  each  chapter  carefully  and  divide  into  sec- 
tions with  appropriate  headings.^    Study  carefully  each  sec- 
tion, and  write  out  the  thought  as  clearly  as  possible. 
I.    Introduction.     1:1-13. 

1.  1:1,  2.     Apostolic  address  and  salutation. 

V.  1.     Note  the  divine  authority  of  the  Apostolic  teaching. 
V.  2.    The  brethren  are  saints  because  they  believe  (faithful). ' 

These  three  words  designate  the  peculiar  nature  of  the 

Christian's  profession. 

2.  1:3-8.  Thanksgiving  for  their  progress  in  the  Oospel,  as 
preached  to  them  by  Epaphras. 

V.  3.     Paul  is  a  model  for  the  true  pastor,  thanking  God  for 

the  faith  of  others,  though  he  himself  is  languishing  in 

prison. 
V.  4,    When  is  faith  true,  i.  e.,  justifying? 

Love  is  the  mark  of  true  Christianity,  John  13:34. 
V.  5.     By  faith  I  arrive  at  love  and  hope;  there  is  a  difference 

between  believing,  loving  and  hoping. 
V.  6.    The  Gospel  proclaims  its  truth  (1)  by  its  universality, 

(2)  by  its  fruitfulness, — its  i?iner  working,  (3)  by  its  growth, 

— its  outward  extension. 

3.  1:9-13.  We  xinceasingly  pray  that  ye  may  be  fruitful  in 
good  woi'ks,  and  thankful  unto  the  Father  for  your  salvation 
in  Christ. 

V.  9.  Note  the  necessity  of  obtaining  a  true  and  deep  spirit- 
ual knowledge  of  the  will  of  God. 

V.  10.  The  object  and  aim  of  this  knowledge  is  here  de- 
scribed. 

V.  11.  God's  revelation  of  himself  to  us  is  the  one  source  of 
all  our  highest  strength  {Lightfoot). 

V.  12.  The  portion  of  the  saints  is  situated  in  the  kingdom 
of  light.  Acts  26:18,  20:32  {Lightfoot). 

V.  13.  This  deliverance  and  translation  took  place  at  the 
time  of  their  regeneration  and  conversion,  when  they 
accepted  Christ  and  were  baptized. 

Note  two  things:  (1)  The  reign  of  Christ  has  already  begun. 
His  kingdom  is  a  present  kingdom.     (2)  Christians  are 

iWe  also  add  a  few  explanatory  notes.    The  analysis  is  mainly  after  Ellicott. 


Sttjuies  in  the  Book. 
> 
already  rescued  from  the  power  of  darkness,  they  are 
already  put  in  possesaion  of  their  inheritance  as  saints. 
They  are  jJotentiaUy  saved.     (LigJdfoot). 
II.    Doctrinal.     1:14—2:3.    The  Person  and  Work  op 

Christ. 
1:14.     Through  tJiiZ  Son  we  7iave  our  redemption. 
On  Redemption  see  Index  of  "  Studies  on  the  Book,"  Second 

Series. 
.     1:15-19.     The  Pre-eminence  of  the  So?i.     (a)  As  the  Head 
of  the  natural  Creation,  the  Universe  (15-17);  {h)  As  the  Head 
of  the  new  moral  Creation,  the  Church  (18);   (c)  In  him  all 
the  fulness  has  its  abode  (19). 

V.  15.  This  passage  (1:  15-20),  together  with  Eph.  1:  20-23; 
Phil.  2:  6-11,  are  the  three  important  passages  in  St.  Paul's 
Epistles,  in  which  the  doctrine  of  the  Person  of  Christ  is 
especially  unfolded. 

In  verses  15-17  the  reference  is  rather  to  ihepre  incarnate 
Son  of  God  in  relation  to  God  and  to  his  own  creatures, 
and  in  vv.  18-20  to  the  incarnate  and  now  glorified  Son  in 
his  relation  to  his  Church. 

Christ  is  the  original  image  of  God  (Heb.  1:3:  II.  Cor. 
4:4),  in  perfect  equality  with  the  Father  in  respect  of  his 
essence,  nature,  and  eternity. 

With  reference  to  every  created  thing,  the  Son  is  here 
solemnly  defined  as  firstborn,  "before  all  things"  {v.  17); 
the  word  only  begotten  defines  more  exactly  his  relation  to 
the  Father,  John  1:  14,  18;  I.  John  4:9.  Paul  here  declares 
the  absolute  pre  existence  of  the  Son.  It  is  a  false  inter- 
pretation to  infer  that  the  Son  was  a  created  being,  though 
the  earliest. 
V.  16.  In  verses  16,  17  we  have  an  explanation  in  what  sense 
the  Son  of  God  is  "the  firstborn  of  all  creation." 

Paul  here  teaches  that  the  Eternal  Son  of  God  according 
to  his  divine  nature  has  the  same  relation  to  the  Universe, 
as  the  Incarnate  Christ,  the  God-Man,  has  to  the  Church, 
1:18. 

The  Son  of  God,  *.  e.,  Jesus  Christ,  according  to  his 
divine  nature — is  the  conditional  cause  of  creation,  i.  e., 
the  act  of  creation  depends  on  him  (1:  16);  he  is  tlje  in- 
strumental cause  of  creation,  i.  e.,  all  things  were  created 


The  Epistle  to  the  Colossians.  15 

through  him  (1:  16);  he  is  the  ultimate  ca,uae  of  creation, 
i.  e.,  all  things  were  created  to  enhance  his  glory. 

V.  17.  Note  the  emphatic  "He  is  before  all  things."  He 
emphasizes  the  Son's  personality,  and  is  his  pre-existence. 

V.  He,  the  same  Person,  the  Creator  of  the  world,  having 
assumed  human  nature,  the  incarnate  and  glorified  God- 
Man,  is  the  Head  of  the  Church. 

The  incarnate  Christ  in  relation  to  the  Church,  is  the 
beginning,  (1)  in  that  he  was  the  first-fruits  of  the  dead 
(I.  Cor.  15:30,  23);  (3)  and  also  the  source  of  life.  Acts 
3:14.  He  rose  first  from  the  dead,  that  others  might  rise 
through  him.     (After  LigJdfoot). 

V.  19.  The  whole  fulness  of  God,  the  totality  of  the  divine 
powers  and  attributes,  was  pleased  to  dwell  in  Christ. 
Compare  2:9. 

6.  1 :  20.     A  description  of  the  reconciling  work  of  the  Son. 
The  reconciliation   is  always  represented   as  made  to  the 

Father.  The  reconciler  is  sometimes  the  Father  (H.  Cor. 
5: 18,  19),  sometimes  the  Son,  Eph.  2:  16;  Rom.  5:  10,  11. 
Christ  our  mediator  is  both  human  and  divine.  It  was 
necessar}'^  that  in  him  should  all  the  fulness  of  the  God- 
head dwell,  1: 19;  2:  9;  and  also  that  he  should  be  born 
into  the  world  and  through  the  blood  of  the  cross*  suffer 
as  a  man  for  us. 

7.  1 :  31-38.  Ye  w7io  were  alienated  he  reconciled  by  his  death; 
if  at  least  ye  remain  firm  in  the  faith  and  abide  by  the  hope  of 
the  Gos2)el. 

8.  1:  24-39.  I  rejoice  in  my  sufferings  for  you  and  the  Church; 
1  am  preacJdng  the  mystery  of  salvation  and  striving  to^yresent 
every  man  perfect  before  Ood. 

V.  34.  "The  point  of  the  Apostle's  boast  is  that  Christ  the 
sinless  Master  should  have  left  something  for  Paul  the  un- 
worthy  servant  to  suffer.  Believers  are  partakers  of  the 
sufferiugs  of  Christ  (H.  Cor.  1:  7;  Phil.  3:  10),  but  Paul 
does  not  say  that  he  bears  a  part  in  the  atoning  sacrifice  of 
Christ.     {Lightfoot.) 

V.  28.  Paul  here  names  the  special  functions  of  the  preach- 
er's office. 

Note  the  universality  of  the  Gospel  as  opposed  to  Gnostic 
exclusiveness. 


16  Studies  in  the  Book. 

9.  2:  1-3.  I  am  earnestly  striving  for  you,  that  you  may  come 
to  the  full  knowledge  of  Christ. 

V.  1.    This  striving  is  the  inward  struggle,  the  wrestling  in 
prayer,  as  in  4:  18. 

The  Laodiceans  were  evidently  exposed  to  the  same  doc- 
trinal perils  as  the  Colossians. 
III.    Polemical.    2.4—3:4. 

10.  2:  4-7.  Let  no  one  deceive  you,  but  as  ye  r$ceived  Christ, 
walk  in  him. 

11.  2:  8-15.  Let  not  worldly  wisdom  lead  you  away  from  him, 
who  is  the  Head  of  all,  who  has  quickened  you,  and  forgiven 
you,  and  triumphed  over  all  the  powers  of  evil. 

vv.  9,  10.     "In  explaining  the  true  doctrine  which  is  'after 
Christ,'  St.  Paul  condemns  the  two  false  principles,  which 
lay  at  the  root  of  this  heretical  teaching:  (1)  The  theological 
error  of  substituting  inferior  and  created  beings,  angelic 
mediators,  for  the  Divine  Head  himself  (««.  9,  10);  and  (2) 
\hQ  practical  error  of  insisting  upon  ritual  and  ascetic  ob- 
servances as  the  foundation  of  their  moral  teaching  {vv. 
11-14)."     {Lighifoot.) 
V.  11.    The  distinguishing  features  of  this  higher  circum- 
cision of  Christ  are  threefold. 
V.  12.    St.  Paul  lays  stress  upon  the  sacrament  of  Baptism. 
Compare  notes  on  Rom.  6:3,  4.     "Baptism  is  the  grave  of 
the  old  man,  and  the  birth  of  the  new,"    {Lightfoot.) 
V.  15.    This  obscure  passage,  taken  in  connection  with  Eph. 
4:  8  and  I.  Pet.  3:  19,  opens  up  to  us  some  of  the  wonders 
of  the  work  of  Christ,  in  the  lower  world,  after  his  resur- 
rection. 
12.     2:  16-23.     Let  no  one  judge  you  in  ceremonial  observances, 
holding  not  the  Head.     Submit  not  to  outward  austerities  that 
are  inwardly  vain  and  carnal. 

V.  16.  "The  two  main  tendencies  of  the  Colossian  heresy 
are  discernable  in  this  warning  {vv.  16-19),  as  they  were  in 
the  previous  statement  (vv.  9-15).  Here,  however,  the 
order  is  reversed.  The  practical  error,  an  excessive  ritu- 
alism and  ascetic  rigor,  is  first  dealt  with  (vv.  16,  17);  the 
theological  error,  the  interposition  of  angelic  mediators, 
follows  after  (vv.  18,  19)."  (Lightfoot.) 
V.  18.  "Humility,  when  it  becomes  self-conscious,  ceases  to 
have  any  value."    (Lightfoot.) 


The  Epistle  T^p  the  Colossians.  17 

V.  20.    Here  we  have  a  warning  against  false  asceticism. 

V.  21.     The  Apostle  disparagingly  repeats  the  prohibitions 

of  the  false  teachers  in  their  own  words. 
V.  23.     All  such  prohibition  and  teaching  is  worthless.     It 

is  powerless  to  check  indulgence  of  the  flesh. 

13.  3;  1-4.  Mind  the  things  above,  for  your  life  is  hidden  with 
Christ;  when  he  is  manifested  so  shall  ye  be  also. 

V.  1.  "The  change  involved  in  baptism,  if  truly  realized, 
must  pervade  a  man's  whole  nature.  It  affects  not  only 
his  practical  conduct,  but  his  intellectual  conceptions  also." 
{Lightfoof). 

IV.  Hortatory.    3:5—4:6. 

14.  3:  5-11  Mortify  your  members  and  put  away  the  si?is  in 
which  he  once  walked;  put  off  the  old  man  and  put  on  the  new, 
in  which  all  are  one  in  Christ. 

vv.  9,  10.  Each  believer  has  a  two-fold  moral  personality. 
There  is  in  him  "the  old  man,"  and  there  is  in  him  also 
"the  new  man." 

The  new  birth  was  a  re-creation  in  God's  image;  the 
subsequent  life  must  be  a  deepening  of  this  image  stamped 
upon  the  man.    {LigJitfoot.) 

15.  3:  12-17.  Put  on  mercy,  be  forgiving  and  loving,  and  let 
the  peace  of  Christ  rule  in  you.  Sing  aloud,  and  in  your  hearts 
to  God,  and  give  thanks. 

16.  3:  18—4:  1.  Wives  and  husbands,  children  and  pareiits, 
observe  your  duties.  Servants,  obey  your  masters  and  be  faith- 
ful; masters,  be  just. 

Compare  on  this  passage  Eph..5:22— 6: 9;  I.  Pet.  2: 18— 3:  7. 

17.  4:1-6.  Pray  for  us  and  for  our  success  in  tJie  Qospel.  Be- 
have yourselves  wisely  towards  the  unconverted,  and  be  ready 
to  answer  each  one  that  asks  a  reason. 

V.  Personal.    4:7-18. 

18.  4 :  7-9.  You  will  learn  my  state  and  the  condition  of  matters 
here  at  Home  from  TycJdcus  and  Onesimus. 

19.  4:10-14.     Salutations  from  divers  2)ersons. 

20.  4:15-17.  Salutations  to  divers  persons.  Interchange  epis- 
tles with  the  Church  at  Laodicea.  Tell  Archippus  to  be  dili- 
gent. 

21.  4:18.     Autograph  Salutation  and  benediction. 
Fourteenth:  Give  an  oral  statement  of  the  contents  of  the 

Epistle,  chapter  by  chapter. 


18  Studies  in  the  Book. 

Fifteenth;  To  the  student  of  the  English  text  we  would  recom- 
mend the  following  Commentaries:  Alexander  in  Speaker's 
Commentary,  Moule  in  Cambridge  Bible,  or  Barry  in  Handy 
Commentary. 

Sixteenth:  To  the  student  of  the  Greek  text  we  would  recom- 
mend the  Commentaries  of  Alford,  Bengal,  Boise,  EUicott, 
Lightfoot,  and  Meyer. 


/ 


STUDY  II. 

The  Teaching  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Colossians. 

First:  Read  the  whole  Epistle  carefully,  section  by  section,  and 
note  what  Paul  teaches  concerning  the  Christian's  Duties  to 
Self.i 

(I)  To  be  faithful,  1:3,  23; 

(3)  To  believe  in  Christ,  1:4,  23;  2:6,  7; 

(3)  To  hear  the  Gospel,  1:6,  33;  3:  7;  3:  16; 

(4)  To  seek  a  knowledge  of  the  will  of  God,  1:9;  3:3; 

(5)  To  seek  spiritual  wisdom,  1:9,  38; 

(6)  To  increase  in  the  knowledge  of  God,  1: 10,  37;  2:3; 

(7)  To  please  the  Lord,  walking  worthily  of  the  Lord,  1: 10. 

(8)  To  become  strong  in  the  Lord,  1: 11; 

(9)  To  be  patient,  long  suffering,  and  joyful,  1:11; 

(10)  To  trust  in  the  merits  of  Christ,  1:22; 

(II)  To  be  grounded  and  steadfast  in  the  faith,  1:23;  3: 5-7; 
(13)  To  abide  in  the  hope  of  the  Gospel,  1:33; 

(13)  To  bear  afflictions  for  Christ's  sake,  1:24; 

(14)  To  be  perfect  in  Christ,  1 :  38; 

(15)  To  know  the  mystery  of  God,  2: 3; 

(16)  Even  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge  hidden  in 
Christ,  3:3; 

(17)  Not  to  be  deceived  or  misled,  3:4,  8,  16; 

(18)  To  be  baptized  into  Christ,  3:13; 

(19)  Not  to  be  pufEed  up  in  his  fleshly  mind,  3: 19; 

(30)  Not  to  subject  one's  self  to  a  false  asceticism,  3:31,  32; 
(21)  To  seek  and  set  the  mind  on  the  things  that  are  above,  3:1,2; 
(23)  To  mortify  the  lusts  of  the  heart: 

Fornication,   uncleanness,    passion,   evil    desire,   covetous- 

ness,  3:5,  6; 

1  We  have  developed  this  iu  full,  as  an  example  how  to  find  the  material. 
These  results  ought  to  be  arranged  more  systematically  by  the  student. 

19 


20  Studies  in  the  Book. 

Anger,   wrath,   malice,   railing,   shameful  speaking,   lying, 
3:8,  9. 

(23)  To  put  off  the  old  man  with  his  doings,  3:9; 

(24)  To  put  on  the  new  man,  3  10; 

(25)  To  put  on  a  heart  of  compassion : 

Kindness,  humility,  meekness,  long-suffering,  3:  13; 

(26)  To  put  on  love,  3:14; 

(27)  To  have  the  peace  of  Christ  in  the  heart,  3: 15; 

(28)  To  be  thankful,  3: 15,  17; 

(39)  To  do  all  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  3: 17; 

(30)  To  be  diligent  in  prayer,  4:2; 

(31)  To  redeem  the  time,  4:5; 

(32)  To  speak  always  with  grace,  4:  6; 

(33)  To  be  faithful  in  thy  calling,  4: 17. 

Second:  Study  the  Epistle  carefully  a  second  time  and  note  what 
Paul  teaches  concerning  our  Duties  to  our  Fellow-Man. 

(1)  To  love  the  saints,  1:4,  8;  2:2;  3:14; 

(2)  To  pray  for  one  another,  1: 4,  9;  4: 3,  12; 

(3)  To  bring  every  man  to  Christ,  1:  28; 

(4)  To  teach  every  man  in  all  wisdom,  1:28; 

(5)  To  comfort  one  another,  2:2;  4:8.  11; 

(6)  To  sympathize  with  another,  2:5; 

(7)  To  rejoice  with  the  saints,  2:  5; 

(8)  Lie  not  one  to  another,  3:9; 

(9)  Forbearing  one  another,  and  forgiving  each  other,  3: 13; 

(10)  To  be  at  peace  with  each  other,  3:15; 

(11)  Teaching  and  admonishing  one  another,  3: 16; 

(12)  Walk  in  wisdom  toward  them  that  are  without,  4: 5; 

(13)  Let  no  opportunity  pass  to  further  the  cause  of  God,  4:5; 

(14)  Let  your  speech  be  always  with  grace,  seasoned  with  salt, 
4:6;- 

(15)  Labor  for  the  salvation  of  others,  4: 13. 

Third:  Make  a  special  study  of  the  Epistle  with  reference  to 

Duties  in  the  Family. 

(1)  Husbands,  (2)  Wives,  (3)  Parents,  (4)  Children,  (5)  Masters, 
(6)  Servants, 
Fourth:  Make  a  special  study  of  the  Epistle  with  reference  to  a 

Christian's  Duty  to  God. 
Fifth:  Study  the  Epistle  carefully  and  write  out  concisely  what 

Paul  here  teaches  concerning  the  Doctrine  of  God,  and  classify 

results  obtained. 


The  Teaching  op  the  Epistle  to  the  Colossians.      21 

(1)  Of  God  the  Father. 

(2)  Of  the  Son  of  God. 

(3)  Of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

(4)  Of  Creation. 

(5)  Of  Providence. 

Sixth:  Study  the  Epistle  carefully,  section  by  section,  and  note 
what  Paul  teaches  concerning  Christology,  or  the  Doctrine  of 
the  Person  of  Christ. 
Names. 

(1)  Is  the  Messiah,  the  Christ,  the  anointed  one,  1: 1,  2,  3,  4, 
7,  24;  3:24;  etc. 

(2)  Jesus,  the  Saviour,  1:1,  3,  4;  2:6;  4:12. 

(3)  Lord,  and  therefore  God,  1:3,  10;  2:  6;  3: 13,  17,  20,  22,  23, 
24;  4:7,  17. 

(4)  Master  in  heaven,  4:1. 
Divinity  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Jesus  Christ  is  true  God,  because  to  him  are  ascribed 
(a)  Divine  Names. 
(1)  Son  of  the  Father,  1 : 3,  13,  19. 
(3)  Lord,  1:3,  10;  2:  6;  etc. 

(3)  The  image  of  the  invisible  God,  1: 15. 

(4)  The  mystery  of  God,  2:2. 

(5)  The  hope  of  glory,  1:  28. 
(&)  Divine  Attributes. 

(1)  Pre  existence,  1: 15,  16,  17. 

(2)  The  first-born  of  all  creation,  1: 15. 

(3)  Begotten  before  all  things,  1: 15,  17. 

(4)  Absolutely  preexisting  before  all  things,  1:17. 

(5)  His  pre  existence  is  absolute  existence,  1: 17. 

(6)  Therefore  before  all  time,  eternal,  1: 15,  17. 

(7)  Therefore  of  perfect  equality  with  the  Father,   1 :  15, 
19;  2:9. 

(8)  Omnipotence,  1:13,  16. 

(9)  Omnipresence,  1: 17. 

(10)  The  source  of  life,  1:18. 
(c)  Divine  Works. 

(1)  Creatioji,  1:16. 

(2)  Providence,  1:17. 

(3)  Redemption,  1:14. 

(4)  Giver  of  life  and  grace,  2:18. 


22  Studies  in  the  Book. 

(d)  Divine  Worship. 

(1)  Has  servants  And  ministers,  1:1,  7;  4.7,  12,  17. 

(2)  Is  to  be  pleased  in  all  things,  1: 10;  3:20,  23. 
(8)  Is  to  be  believed  in,  2:  5,  8. 

(4)  To  be  received  by  faith,  2:6. 

(5)  Is  to  be  feared,  3:22. 

(6)  To  be  served,  8:23,  24. 

(7)  Is  our  Master  in  heaven,  4:1. 
Jesus  Christ  is  the  Ood-Man. 

(1)  The  Incarnate  Christ  is  the  head  of  the  Church,  1:1, 
2:  19. 

(2)  The  first-born  from  the  dead,  1: 18. 

(3)  Has  the  preeminence  in  the  universe,  1: 18. 

(4)  In  him  dwells  all  the  fulness  of  the  Godhead  bodily, 
1:19;  2:9. 

(5)  Possesses,  therefore,   all  the  povpers  and  attributes  of 
God,  1:19;  2:9. 

(6)  Possesses  them  permanently,  1: 19;  2:  9. 
(7)Is  the  mystery  of  God,  1:37;  2:2,  3;  4:3. 

(8)  In  him  are  hidden  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowl- 
edge, 2:3. 

(9)  He  is  the  head  of  all  principality  and  power,  2: 10. 

(10)  He  was  raised  from  the  dead,  2: 12. 

(11)  Is  seated  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  3: 1. 

(12)  Is  in  God  the  Father,  3:3. 

(13)  Shall  be  manifested  in  glory,  3:4. 

(14)  Is  all,  and  in  all,  3:11. 

(15)  Has  absolute  and  universal  supremacy,  1:17,  18;  2:10, 
11,  19;  3:11. 

(16)  Is  in  heaven,  3:1;  4:1. 

Seventh:  Study  the  Epistle  carefully,  section  by  section,  and 
note  what  Paul  teaches  concerning  Soteriology,  or  the  Doctrine 
of  the  Work  of  Christ. 
Jesus  Christ  is  our  Mediator. 

(1)  He  is  our  redeemer,  1: 14. 

(2)  He  paid  our  ransom,  1:14. 

(3)  Obtained  for  us  the  forgiveness  of  our.  sins,  1:14. 

(4)  As  the  divine  human  mediator  made  reconciliation  be- 
tween God  and  man,  1:  20. 

(5)  Satisfies  the  justice  of  the  Father,  1:  20. 


The  Teaching  op  the  Epistle  to  the  Colossians.     33 

(6)  Through  him  an  atonement  has  been  made  for  all,  1 :  20. 

(7)  Makes  peace  between  God  and  man,  1:  20. 

(8)  The  price  paid  for  our  retlemptiou  from  the  wrath  of 
God  (1 :  14)  is  the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God,  1 :  20. 

(9)  He  suffered  on  the  Cross  for  us,  1 :  20. 

(10)  Salvation  is  objectively  procured  for  all  men,  1 :  20. 

(11)  Believers  are  reconciled  to  the  Father  through  the  death 
of  Christ,  1:22. 

(12)  He  has  fulfilled  the  law  for  us,  2: 14. 

(13)  He  bore  the  penalty  of  the  law  for  us,  2: 14. 

(14)  He  has  overcome  death  and  Satan,  2: 15. 

(15)  Ho  triumphed  over  the  evil  spirits,  2:  15. 

Christ  still  continues  ?iis  threefold  office  as  Prophet,  Priest  and 
King, 

(1)  The  glorified  Godman  as  the  Head  of  the  Church,  rules 
and  directs  her,  1: 18-20;  2:  19. 

(2)  He  is  the  author  and  source  of  perfection,  1:  28. 

(3)  Worketh  in  believers,  1 :  29. 

(4)  He  quickens  us  while  dead  in  sin,  2:  13;  3:1. 

(5)  In  him  believers  are  made  full,  2:  10. 

(6)  He  forgives  us  all  our  trespasses,  2:  13;  3:  13. 

(7)  He  bestows  peace,  3: 15. 

(8)  He  shall  reward  us,  3:  24. 

(9)  He  shall  give  us  the  inheritance,  3:  24. 

(10)  He  intercedes  with  God  for  us,  for  our  life  is  hid  with 
Christ  in  God,  3:3. 

(11)  As  King  he  is  seated  on  the  right  hand  of  God:  3: 1. 

(12)  As  King  he  sustains  and  preserves  all  things,  1: 17. 

(13)  Is  the  head  of  all  principality  and  power,  2:  10. 

(14)  Worketh  continually  in  his  Church,  2:19. 

(15)  And  all  things  are  to  be  subjected  to  his  dominion,  1:16; 
3:  11. 

Eighth:  Make  a  careful  comparison  between  the  Authorised  and 
Revised  Versions,  and  note  the  princpal  changes. 

Ninth:  Make  a  special  study  of  the  marginal  readings  of  the 
Revised  Version. 

Tenth:  There  are  possibly  four  quotations  from  the  Old  Testa- 
ment in  the  Epistle  to  the  Colossians. 

(1)  Col.  2:  3  compared  with  Isa.  45:  3  and  Prov.  2:  3,  4. 

(2)  Col.  2:22  with  Isa.  29:13. 

(3)  Col.  3.1  with  Ps.  110:  1. 


34  Studies  in  the  Book. 

(4)  Col.  3:  10  with  Gen.  1:37. 

Eleventh:  Make  a  special  study  of  the  following  topics,  taken 
in  the  order  of  their  occurrence  in  the  Epistle:  Faithful 
brethren  (1:  2),  faithful  minister  of  Christ  (1:  7),  love  in  the 
Spirit  (1:  8),  spiritual  wisdom  and  understanding  (1:  9),  the 
power  of  darkness  (1:13),  things  invisible  (1:  16),  Christ,  the 
hope  of  glory  (1:  27).  perfect  in  Christ  (1:  28),  the  mystery  of 
God  (2:  2),  fulness  of  the  Godhead  bodily  (2.  9),  the  bond  writ- 
ten in  ordinances  (2:  14),  worshipping  of  the  angels  (2;  18), 
rudiments  of  the  world  (2:  20),  the  right  hand  of  God  (3:  1), 
the  old  man  (3:  9),  the  new  man  (3:  10),  the  mystery  of  Christ 
(4:  3). 

Twelfth:  Review  the  history  of  St.  Paul  and  write  out  or  pre- 
sent orally  the  principal  events  of  his  life. 

Thirteenth:  Look  up  the  principal  events  of  the  life  of  Tim- 
othy, 1:  1. 

Fourteenth:  Of  the  life  of  Mark',  4:  10. 

Fifteenth:  Of  Luke^,  the  beloved  physician.  4: 14. 

1  See  Index  of  "Studies  in  the  Book,"  First  Series. 


STUDY  III. 

The  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians. 

First:  This  Epistle  was  addressed  principally  to  the  Christians 

at  Ephesus  (1:1). 
Second:  It  seems,  however,  also  to  have  been  designed  for  other 
Cliurches  in  Asia  Minor,  and  it  is  highly  probable  that  it  was 
a  circular  or  encyclical  letter,  understood  to  be  the  property  of 
the  Church  at  Ephesus,  but  in  trust  for  the  whole  Province. 
(1)  This  seems  the  more  likely  because  the  Epistle  is  general 

in  its  form  and  free  from  distinctive  notices. 
{'■i)  The  salutations  are  of  the  most  general  kind,  and  there  is 
literally  no  trace  of  local  coloring,  as  we  would  expect  from 
the  fact  that  Paul  was  three  years  at  Ephesus  (54-57  A.  D.). 

(3)  In  some  ancient  manuscripts,  notably  Codex  Sinaiticus  and 
Codex  Vaticanus,  both  of  the  fourth  century,  the  words  "at 
Ephesus"  (1:1),  are  omitted, — the  reading  of  such  copies 
having  to  be  translated  "  to  the  saints  which  are  also  faith- 
ful," or  "  to  the  saints  which  are,  and  to  the  faithful,"  etc, 

(4)  We  have  a  probable  allusion  to  this  same  letter  in  Col.  4:6. 
Third:  There  can  be  no  question  as  to  its  being  designed  for 

the  Church  at  Ephesus.  Every  known  manuscript,  in  its  un- 
corrected form,  save  the  two  mentioned,  reads  "at  Ephesus," 
in  1:1.  So  the  ancient  versions.  All  manuscripts,  without 
exception,  read  "To  the  Ephesians," as  the  title  of  this  Epistle, 
although  this  testimony  does  not  carry  us  back  further  than 
the  Fourth  Century. 

FouRTu:  It  seems  therefore  that  the  Epistle  was  actually  ad- 
dressed by  Paul,  "to  the  saints  which  are  at  Ephesus"  (1:1), 
but  as  it  was  designed  as  a  circular  letter  the  copies  made  and 
dispersed  through  the  Province  of  Asia  Minor,  frequently 
omitted  this  precise  address,  without  introducing  any  other. 

Fifth:  The  letter  was  written  when  Paul  was  a  prisoner,  Eph. 
3:1;  4:1;  6:20. 

35 


26  Studies  in  the  Book. 

Sixth:  The  bearer  of  it  was  Tychicus,  6: 21,  22. 

Seventh:  It  was  written  at  about  the  same  time  that  Colossians 
and  Philemon  were  written,  for  Paul  was  also  then  in  prison 
(Col.  4:3,  10,  18;  Philemon  1,  9,  23),  and  Tychicus,  accompa- 
nied by  Onesimus,  was  the  bearer.  Col.  4:7-9;  Philemon  11,12. 

Eighth:  This  letter  therefore  was  written  during  Paul's  first 
captivity  at  Rome,  during  the  two  years  spoken  of  in  Acts  28: 
30  (61-63  A.  D.). 

Ninth:  The  genuineness  and  authenticity  of  the  Epistle  admit 
of  no  reasonable  doubt.  There  is  absolutely  no  trace  in  early 
Christian  literature  of  doubt  about  the  authorship  and  author- 
ity of  the  Epistle. 

Tenth:  Give  a  brief  history  of  Ephesus,  the  capital  of  Procon- 
sular Asia. 

Eleventh:  Give  a  brief  account  of  Paul's  work  in  Ephesus. 

(1)  At  the  beginning  of  his  Second  Missionary  Journey  (Acts 
15:40 — 16:6),  Paul  was  "forbidden  of  the  Holy  Ghost  to 
speak  the  Word  in  Asia,"  Acts  16:6. 

(2)  But  at  its  close  (53  A.  D.)  on  his  way  from  Corinth  to  Syria, 
he  visited  Ephesus  (Acts  18:18-21),  bringing  Priscilla  and 
Aquila  with  him,  and  leaving  them  there. 

(3)  His  stay  at  Ephesus  was  very  short,  probably  one  Sabbath, 
Acts  18: 19,  20,  21. 

(4)  Paul  arrived  at  Ephesus,  the  second  time,  at  the  beginning 
of  his  Third  Missionary  Journey  (Acts  19:  1-8),  and  abode 
there  about  three  years  (Acts  20:  31),  probably  from  54-57 
A.  D. 

(5)  On  St.  Paul's  last  voyage  to  Jerusalem,  before  his  imprison- 
ment (58  A.  D.),  he  touched  at  Miletus,  some  30  miles  south 
of  Ephesus,  where  he  gave  his  pathetic  charge  to  the  Elders 
of  the  Church  at  Ephesus  (Acts  20: 17-38). 

(6)  Then  followed  his  two  years'  imprisonment  at  Csesarea, 
Acts  24:27  (58-60  A.  D  ). 

(7)  And  his  voyage  to  Rome,  and  his  two  years'  imprisonment 
there,  during  which  period  this  Epistle  was  written.  Acts 
28: 16,  30. 

Twelfth:  From  a  careful  study  of  this  book  it  seems  that  the 
Epistle  to  the  Ephesians  was  not  called  forth  by  any  particu- 
lar circumstances,  "but  was  designed  to  set  forth  the  origin 
and  development  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  and  to  display  to 
the  Christian  dweller  under  the  shadow  of  the  great  temple 


The  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians.  27 

of  Diana,  the  unity  and  beauty  of  that  transcendentlymore 
glorious  spiritual  temple  (Eph.  2:20)  of  which  Christ  Himself 
was  the  chief  corner  stone,  and  the  saints  portions  of  the 
superstructure.,"    {Ellicott). 

TniiiTEENTn:  "As  in  Romans,  so  here,  Paul  addresses  himself  to 
the  mighty  theme  of  the  whole  Gospel;  from  the  point  of  view 
not  now  of  the  justification  of  the  saints,  but  of  their  life  in 
and  union  with  their  Redeeming  Head,  and  the  consequent 
oneness  of  thewhole  organism  of  the  true  Church  in  time  and  in 
eternity.  Faithful  to  the  genius  of  the  Gospel,  he  applies  these 
transcendent  truths  with  great  minuteness  to  the  realities  of 
common  life,  especially  that  of  the  Christian  Home."    {Moule). 

Fourteenth:  On  a  careful  reading  of  the  Epistle  we  see  it 
naturally  divides  itself  into  two  parts: 

I.  Eph.  1:1— 3:21.     Doctrinal. 

II.  Eph,  4.1— 6:24.     Practical. 

Fifteenth:  Read  each  chapter  carefully  and  divide  into  sec- 
tions with  appropriate  headings.^  Study  carefully  each  sec- 
tion, and  write  out  the  thought  as  concisely  as  possible. 

1.  1:  1,  2.     Apostolic  address  and  salutation. 

2.  1 : 8-14.  Blessed  bii  God  the  Father,  who  predestinated  us 
unto  the  adoption  of  sons,  redeemed  us  by  Christ's  blood,  re- 
vealed  to  us  Ms  eternal  purpose  of  remitting  all  in  Christ,  and 
began  its  fulfilment  by  sealing  all  believers  with  the  Holy 
Spirit. 

®.  §.  Note  how  God  the  Father  blessed  us  (1)  in  what  respect, 
(2)  in  what  place,  (3)  in  what  person. 

V.  4.  Note  how,  and  when,  and  with  what  object,  God 
graciously  chose  believers  in  Christ.  Distinguish  between 
(1)  the  purpose  of  God,  (2)  his  foreknowledge,  and  (3)  the 
act  of  predestination. 

«.  5.  This  predestination  has  a  direct  and  an  ultimate  end, 
and  is  accomplished  through  Christ,  according  to  a  definite 
rule. 

•0.  6.    The  great  end  is  the  glory  of  God. 

«.  7.  "Paul  does  not  say,  through  his  perfect  and  beautiful 
life  as  an  example,  nor  through  his  divine  teaching,  though 
he  spake  as  never  man  spake;  but  through  his  blood,  with- 
out which  there  could  be  no  forgiveness  "  {Boise). 

1  We  also  add  a  few  explanatory  notes.    The  analysis  is  mainly  after 
Ellicott. 


28  Studies  in  the  Book. 

V.  10.  St.  Paul  does  not  teach  in  this  passage  the  ultimate 
restoration  of  the  wicked.  The  words,  strictly  interpreted, 
with  reference  to  the  context,  do  not  signify  any  such  idea. 
The  whole  context  has  reference  to  believers,  and  to 
Christ's  relations  with  his  Church,  on  earth  and  in  heaven. 
Christ  is  indeed  the  Head  of  the  Universe,  and  all,  wicked 
spirits  as  well  as  wicked  men,  shall  finally  acknowledge 
his  power  and  authority  (Eph.  1:  20-23;  Phil.  2: 10,  11),  but 
it  is  questionable  whether  Paul  has  reference  to  this  truth 
in  the  passage  before  us.  This  summing  up  is  i7i  Christ, 
and  refers  to  the  elect  angels  and  believers. 

V.  14.  The  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit  given  to  believers  is  an 
arrabon,  an  earnest,  a  pledge,  a  part  payment  given  as  a 
tangible  promise  of  the  payment  of  the  whole  inheritance. 

3.  1:15-23.  I  ever  give  tJiankfi,  and  pray  tJiat  you  may  be  en- 
lightened to  know  the  hope  of  Uis  calling,  the  riches  of  his 
inheritance,  and  the  greatness  of  His  power,  which  was  espec- 
ially displayed  in  the  Resurrection  and  supreme  exaltation  of 
Christ. 

v.  17.  It  is  best  to  translate  "the  Spirit  of  wisdom  and  reve- 
lation," for  it  is  the  Holy  Spirit  who  imparts  the  definite 
knowledge  of  God  the  Father. 

®.  20.  In  this  passage  {vv.  20-23),  Phil.  2:6-11,  and  Col. 
1:15-20,  we  find  the  entire  Christology  of  St.  Paul. 

"  In  them  we  find  his  essential  and  glorious  Deity;  his 
eternal  Sonship;  his  immediate  action  in  Creation;  his 
headship  over  the  Created  Universe;  his  divine  free  will 
in  Incarnation  and  Humiliation;  his  atoning  Death;  his 
Resurrection,  and  Exaltation  as  the  Incarnate,  by  the 
Father's  power;  his  Headship  over  the  Church,  and  ani 
mation  of  it  with  His  Spirit "  {Moide). 

4.  2 : 1-10.  You  who  were  dead  in  sin.  He  hath  quickened, 
raised,  and  even  enthroned  with  and  in  Christ,  to  shoio  all  ages 
the  ricJies  of  His  grace  and  love.  Tour  salvation  is  by  grace, 
not  of  works. 

vv.  1-3.  We  have  here  a  most  graphic  description  of  the  natur- 
al, unregenerate  man,  whether  of  Jewish  or  heathen  origin. 

V.  3.  The  doctrine  of  Original  Sin  is  here  clearly  taught  by 
Paul.  Note  the  exact  statement:  we  were  by  nature  child- 
ren of  wrath, — it  was  once  the  state  and  condition  of  be- 
lievers; it  is  now  so  no  longer. 


The  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians.  39 

V.  5.    See  notes  on  Rom  3:  24,  in  Second  Series. 

vv.  8,  9.  God  would  have  the  whole  praise  of  our  salvation. 
Faith  itself  is  the  gift  of  God  (Phil.  1:  29),  but  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  decide  whether  Paul  here  teaches  that  truth,  or 
whether  he  means  to  state  that  "gratuitous  salvation"  is 
the  gift  of  God.  See  also  notes  on  Rom.  3:  22-31;  Gal. 
2:16. 

V.  10.  On  the  doctrine  of  Sanctification  and  Good  Works 
see  Index  of  "Studies  in  the  Book,"  First  Series. 

.    2:11-22.     Remember  tJiat  ye  were  once  separate  from  Christ 

and  aliens,  but  have  now  been  brought  nigh,  and  have  become 

of  the  household  of  Ood. 

V.  12.  A  vivid  description  of  tlie  state  of  heathendom. 
Compare  also  2:  1-3. 

vv.  14,  15.  Christ  our  peace  brol^e  down  the  wall  between 
Jew  and  Gentile. 

V.  16.  Christ  wrought  not  only  peace  between  Jew  and 
Gentile,  but  also  between  both  and  God.  The  "one 
body"  in  which  they  are  reconciled  is  possibly  Christ's 
human  body,  or  better,  the  Church. 

V.  20.  The  doctrine  of  the  Apostles,  i.  e.,  Christ  :p)'eached  is 
the  foundation;  the  person  of  Christ,  Christ  Jesus  himself , 
is  the  chief  cornerstone. 

m.  21,  22.     A  double  figure:  The  Church  is  one  building, 

one  body,  and  each  individual  believer  a  holy  temple. 
.    3:1-13.     So  I  pray  for  you,  believing  that  you  knoio  how  Ood 

revealed  to  me  the  mystery  of  the  call  of  the  Oentiles,  and  gave 

me  grace  to  preach  it,  that  men  and  angels  might  learn  the 

manifold  wisdom  of  God.     Faint  not  then  at  my  troubles. 

vv.  3-5.  Paul  maintains  that  the  Holy  Apostles  and  Prophets 
were  inspired  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

V.  6.  It  is  a  mystery  that  the  Gentiles  are  fellow  partakers 
of  the  promise  in  Christ  Jesus  through  the  Gospel. 

vv.  7,  8.  The  ministry  is  a  divine  institution,  and  its  office  is 
to  preach  "the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ."  "The  whole 
phrase  here  before  us  is  one  of  the  greatest  in  Holy  Scrip- 
ture. It  presents  the  truths,  harmonized  into  one  truth, 
of  the  simplicity  and  infinity  of  the  gospel.  All  is  central- 
ized in  Christ,  the  Incarnate  Son,  slain,  risen,  and  glori- 
fied; and  from  that  center  diverge  countless  lines  of  appli- 
cation to  every  need  of  the  human  soul."    (Moule.) 


30  Studies  in  the  Book. 

vv.  9-13.  Note  the  wonderful  riches  of  thought,  which  will 
bear  the  closest  analysis. 

7.  3:14-19.  On  this  (tccoimt  I  pray  to  Ood  the  Father  to  give 
you  strengtJi  in  the  inward  man,  and  teach  you  the  incompre- 
Jiensible  love  of  Christ,  and  fill  you  with  the  fulness  of  God. 

V.  15.     In  this  passage  Paul  teaches  the  spiritual  oneness  of 

the  holy  community  of  saints  and  angels. 
vv.  16-19.     A  remarkable  passage,  in  which  the  believer  will 

find  inexhaustible  food  for  faith,  prayer  and  meditation. 

8.  3:  20,  21.  An  ascription  of  praise  to  Ood  the  Father,  clos- 
ing the  doctrinal  pari  of  the  Epistle. 

"After  the  grandest  promises  which  human  language  can 
express,  the  Holy  Spirit  here  closes  by  declaring  that  all 
which  can  be  expressed  is  infinitely  below  the  reality 
which  is  in  God."    {Monod  quoted  by  Moule.) 

9.  4:  1-6.  Walk  worthy  of  your  vocation,  in  loicliness,  in  love, 
and  especially  in  unity;  there  is  but  one  body,  one  Spirit,  one 
Lord,  and  one  Ood 

V.  4.  This  "one  body"  is  the  Church,  the  community  of  saints. 
On  "the  calling,"  see  pp.  18,  19  of  "Studies  in  the  Book," 
First  Series. 

10.  4:  7-10.  Christ  gives  his  grace  in  measure  to  each,  as  the 
Scripture  testifies 

V.  8.  Paul,  by  inspiration,  here  speaks  of  certain  events 
that  took  place  at  Christ's  ascension  into  heaven. 

Those  who  had  been  held  captive  were  the  saints  of  the 
Old  Testament,  who,  up  to  Christ's  resurrection,  were  still 
in  Hades,  under  the  power  of  death  and  Satan. 

Christ  by  his  death  and  resurrection  acquired  also  gifts 
for  them,  and  ever  since  Christ's  ascension  into  heaven  no 
souls  of  the  blessed  are  in  Hades,  nor  do  believers  enter 
Hades,  but  Paradise  is  now  above  the  earth,  and  believers 
are  immediately  after  death,  with  Christ  in  heaven.  Com- 
pare also  Col.  2:  15. 

11.  4: 11-16.     He  appointed  divers  ministering  orders,  till  we  all 
come  unto  the  unity  of  the  faith,  and  in  truth  and  love  grow  v.p 
into  Christ,  the  head  of  the  living  body,  the  Church. 
Another  remarkable  passage,  which  bears  the  closest  analysis. 

12.  4:  17-24.  Do  not  walk  as  darkened  and  hardened  heathens. 
Ye  did  not  so  learn  Christ.  Put  off  the  old  man,  and  put  on 
the  new  man. 


The  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians.  31 

13.  4:  25-33,  Speak  the  truth,  and  do  not  cherish  anger,  or 
jiractice  theft;  utter  no  corrupt  speech;  be  not  bitter. 

14.  5:  1,  3.  Strive  then  to  imitate  Ood,  and  like  Christ  to  walk 
in  love. 

15.  5:3-14.  Avoid  fornication,  covetousness,  and  all  forms  of 
impurity,  for  on  such  comes  the  wrath  of  Ood.  Ye  were  once 
in  heatJien  darkness,  but  now  are  light;  reprove  the  works  of 
darkness,  awake  and  arise. 

16.  5:15-31.  Walk  strictly ;  avoid  excess,  but  be  filled  with  the 
spirit;  sing  psalms  outwardly  with  your  lips,  and  make  melody 
toith  thankfulness  in  your  hearts  within. 

17..  5:33-33.  Wives  be  subject  to  your  husbands  as  the  Church 
is  to  Christ.  Husbands  love  your  loives  as  Christ  loved  his 
Church.  Marriage  is  a  type  of  the  mystical  union  of  Christ 
and  the  Church. 

18.  6: 1-4.  Children,  obey  and  honor  your  j)arents  according  to 
God's  commandment;  fathers  provoke  not  your  children,  but 
educate  them  holily. 

19.  6:5-9.  Servants,  obey  and  do  your  duty  faithfully  to  your 
masters  as  to  Christ,  and  ye  shall  receive  your  reward.  Mas- 
ters, do  the  like  in  returji. 

20.  6 :  10-20.  Put  on  the  whole  panoply  of  God;  arm  yourself  against 
your  spiritual  foes  with  all  the  defensive  portions  of  Christian 
armor,  and  the  sword  of  the  Spirit.   Pray  that  we  may  be  bold. 

31.    6:21,  23.    1  have  sent  Tychicus  to  tell  you  of  my  state  and 

to  comfort  you. 
22.     6:23,24.     Benediction. 

Sixteenth:  Give  an  oral  statemeht  of  the  contents  of  the  Epistle, 
chapter  by  chapter. 

Seventeenth:  To  the  student  of  the  English  text  we  would 
especially  recommend  Moule's  Commentary  on  this  Epistle  in 
the  Cambridge  Bible  for  Schools  and  Colleges. 

Eighteenth:  To  the  student  of  the  Greek  text  we  would  rec. 
ommend  for  the  first  reading  of  the  Greek  text,  the  Commen- 
tary of  Boise,  for  the  second  reading,  Ellicott,  and  for  refer- 
ence, Meyer. 

Nineteenth:  To  those  acquainted  also  with  the  German  we 
would  recommend  the  Commentary  of  Harless,  which  "for 
accurate  scholarship,  learning,  candor  and  ability,  is  one  of 
the  best,  if  not  the  very  best  commentary  that  has  ever  yet 
appeared  on  an  single  portion  of  Holy  Scriptures"  {Ellicott). 


The  Teaching  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians.       33 

Seventh:  Read  the  whole  Epistle  carefully,  sectian  by  section, 

and  note  what  Paul  teaches  concerning  our  Duties  to  God. 
Eighth:  Study  the  Epistle  carefully  a  second  time  and  note 

what  Paul  teaches  concerning  our  Duties  to  our  Fellow-Man. 
Ninth:  Study  carefully  a  third  time,  and  note  what  Paul  teaches 

concerning  our  Duties  to  Self. 
Tenth:  Compare  these  results  with  those  obtained  in  our  Study 

on  the  Teaching  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Colossians. 
Eleventh:  Study  the  Epistle  carefully,  section  by  section,  and 

write  out  concisely  what  Paul  teaches  concerning  the  Doctrine 

of  God  the  Father.  1 

(I)  It  was  through  His  will  that  Paul  was  called  an  Apostle,  1:1. 
(3)  The  Father  is  the  origin  of  grace  and  peace,  1:2,  6;  6:23. 

(3)  Is  the  Father  of  all  believers,  1 :  2. 

(4)  The  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  1:3;  1: 17. 

(5)  Has  blessed  us  in  Christ,  1:3,  6. 

(6)  Has  chosen  us  in  him,  1:4. 

(7)  Has  foreordained  believers  unto  adoption  as  sons  through 
Jesus  Christ,  1:5;  to  an  inheritance,  1:11. 

(8)  Has  freely  bestowed  grace  on  us  in  his  beloved  Son,  1: 6. 

(9)  Displays  unto  us  the  exceeding  riches  of  his  grace,  1 : 8;  2: 7. 

(10)  Has  revealed  to  believers  the  mystery  of  his  wifl,  1:9;  3:9. 

(II)  Has  purposed  to  sum  up  all  things  in  Christ  as  Head,  1 :  10. 

(12)  His  purpose  was  in  the  Son,  1:10;  3:11;  from  eternity,  3:11. 

(13)  He  worketh  all  things  after  the  counsel  of  his  will,  1: 11. 

(14)  Is  glorious,  1: 12,  14;  3: 16;  the  Father  of  glory,  1:17. 

(15)  Is  the  origin  of  all  wisdom,  1: 17;  3:10. 

(16)  Calls  us  into  his  Kingdom,  1: 18;  5:5. 

(17)  Displays  great  power  towards  believers,  1: 19;  3: 16. 

(18)  Displays  the  working  of  his  power  in  Christ,  1: 20-23. 
(a)  In  raising  him  from  the  dead,  1: 20. 

(6)  In  making  him  to  sit  at  his  right  hand,  1 :  30. 

(c)  In  exalting  him  above  every  name,  1:  21. 

(d)  In  putting  all  things  in  subjection  to  him,  1:  22. 

(e)  In  giving  him  to  be  head  over  all  things  to  the  Church, 
1:23. 

(19)  Is  rich  in  mercy,  2:4. 

(20)  Has  loved  us  with  a  great  love,  2:4. 

1  We  have  developed  this  in  full,  verse  by  verse,  as  an  example  how  to 
find  the  material.  Let  the  studeBt  study  each  passage  and  arrange  these 
results  in  a  more  systematic  way. 


34  Studiks  in  the  Book. 

(21)  Has  quickened  us  with  Christ,  2: 1,  5. 

(22)  Raised  us  up  with  Christ;  2;  6. 

(23)  Has  made  us  sit  with  Christ  in  heavenly  places,  2: 6. 

(24)  Bestows  salvation  as  a  gift,  2:  8. 

(25)  Believers  are  God's  workmanship,  2:10. 

(26)  He  created  us  in  Christ  Jesus,  2: 10. 

(27)  He  has  prepared  a  sphere  of  moral  action  for  believers,2: 10. 

(28)  Forsakes  unbelievers,  and  those  separate  from  Christ,  2: 12. 

(29)  Is  reconciled  through  the  Cross,  2: 16. 

(30)  To  God  the  Father,  Christ  offered  himself  as  a  sacrifice  to 
satisfy  the  Justice  of  God,  5:  2. 

(31)  He  forgives  us  in  Christ,  4:32. 

(32)  His  wrath  is  upon  the  sons  of  disobedience,  5: 6. 

(33)  Access  to  him  is  through  Christ,  in  the  Spirit,  2: 18. 

(34)  Has  a  household,  2: 19. 

(35)  Dwells  in  the  believer,  2:  22. 

(36)  Works  by  his  grace  in  believers,  3:  2,  7;  1:6,  8;  2:  7. 

(37)  Is  the  Creator  of  all  things,  3:  9. 

(38)  Omnipotent,  3:9,  20;  4:6. 

(39)  Omnipresent,  4:6. 

(40)  Preserves  all  things  through  his  providence,  4:6. 

(41)  Is  to  be  worshipped,  3: 14,  20,  21;  5:20. 

(42)  Is  the  Father  of  all  believers,  3:15. 

(43)  Has  the  fulness  of  all  spiritual  perfections,  3: 19. 

(44)  The  sovereign  and  eternal  Father  of  all,  4:6. 

(45)  His  life  dwells  only  in  believers,  4: 18. 

(46)  The  new  man  is  created  in  the  image  of  God  the  Father, 
4:24. 

(47)  His  love  is  to  be  imitated,  5:1. 

(48)  His  will  is  to  be  done,  6:6. 

(49)  Supplies  an  armor  to  the  believer,  6: 11,  13. 
Twelfth:  Write  out  clearly  what  St.  Paul  teaches  concerning 

the  Doctrine  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

(1)  Every  blessing  in  Christ  is  imparted  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  1:3. 

(2)  Believers  are  sealed  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  1:13;  4:30;  unto 
the  day  of  redemption,  4: 30. 

(3)  Was  given  according  to  promise,  1:13. 

(4)  His  Essence  is  Holiness,  1 :  13;  4:  30. 

(5)  He  is  the  personal  Holy  Spirit,  1:13;  4:30. 

(6)  The  Gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit  is  a  pledge  that  we  shall  receive 
an  inheritance,  1:14;  our  redemption,  4:30. 


The  Teaching  op  the  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians,        35 

(7)  The  Spirit  enlightens  us  with  wisdom,  1 :  17. 

(8)  And  reveals  unto  us  the  more  special  gift  of  insight  into 
the  divine  mysteries,  1: 17. 

(9)  In  the  Spirit  we  have  fellowship  with  Christ,  2: 18. 

(10)  And  with  the  Father,  2: 18. 

(11)  It  is  the  one  and  same  Holy  Spirit  that  worketh  in  all  be- 
lievers, 2:18;  4:4. 

(12)  God  the  Father  dwells  in  the  believer  through  the  ever- 
present  Holy  Spirit,  2:22. 

(13)  The  Holy  Spirit  inspired  the  Apostles  and  prophets,  3:5. 

(14)  He  strengthens  the  power  of  the  inner  man,  3:16. 

(15)  The  Holy  Spirit  worketh  unity  and  peace,  4:  2. 

(16)  He  is  a  true  Person,  for  he  can  be  grieved,  4:  30. 

(17)  The  Holy  Spirit  is  not  only  the  instrument  by  which,  and 
in  which  the  believer  is  filled,  but  God  the  Holy  Ghost  dwells 
in  us,  fills  us  with  Himself,  5:18. 

(18)  The  sword  of  the  Holy  Spirit  is  the  Word  of  God,  6: 17. 

(19)  The  Word  of  God  is  given  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  6: 17. 

^20)  The  Holy  Spirit  works  through  the  Word  as  an  instru- 
ment, 6: 17. 

(21)  The  sphere  of  all  true  prayer,  by  whose  indwelling  in- 
fluence and  merciful  aid  we  are  led  to  prayer,  is  the  Holy 
Spirit,  p:18. 
Thirteenth:  There  are  nine  passages  in  this  Epistle  in  which 

the  three  Persons  of  the  Holy  Trinity  are  mentioned  together, 

and  co-ordinated. 

(1)1:3;   (2)1:13,14;    (2)2:18;   (4)2:22;   (5)3:2-6;   (6)3:14-17; 
(7)4:4  6;  (8)4:80-32;  (9)  5:18-21, 
Fourteenth:  Study  the  Epistle,  section  by  section,  and  write 

out  concisely  what  Paul  teaches  concerning  Christology,  or  the 

Doctrine  of  the  Person  of  Christ. 
Fifteenth:  Develop  in  the  same  way  Paul's  teaching  concern- 
ing Soteriology,  or  the  Doctrine  of  the  Work  of  Christ. 
Sixteenth:  Compare  the  Christology  and  Soteriology  of  this 

Epistle  with  the  Chfistology  and  Soteriology  of  Colossians,  as 

developed  in  Study  II,  and  note  the  remarkable  harmony  of 

thought  and  expression. 
Seventeenth:  Study  the  Epistle  once  more  and  see  what  Paul 

teaches  concerning  the  Doctrine  of  the  Church.  ^ 

1  Developed  in  full,  as  an  example  how  to  And  the  material.  Let  tlie 
student  examine  th.e  exegesis  of  eacii  passage,  criticize  if  deemed  necessary, 
and  arrange  tliese  resalts  in  a  mora  systematic  way. 


36  Studies  in  the  Book. 

(1)  The  Church  is  a  community  of  saints,  1:1,  15,  18;  2:19; 
3:8,18;  4:13;  5:3;  6:18;  consisting  of  believers  in  Christ, 
1:1;  2:8;   1:15. 

(2)  Is  blessed  with  every  blessing  of  the  Spirit,  1:3. 

(3)  Is  holy  and  without  blemish  before  God,  in  Christ,  1:4; 
5:37. 

(4)  Possesses  all  grace,  1:3,  6. 

(5)  Has  been  redeemed  through  the  blood  of  Christ,  1:7; 
3:13;  5:3. 

(6)  Has  obtained  a  knowledge  of  the  mystery  of  the  will  of  God, 
1:9;  of  the  mystery  of  Christ,  3:4-6,  9. 

(7)  Her  Head  is  Christ.  1:10,  33,  23;  4: 15;  5:23. 

(8)  Is  the  heritage  of  God,  1: 11,  1.8. 

(9)  Has  committed  to  her  the  word  of  truth,  even  the  gospel  of 
salvation,  1:13;  3:10. 

(10)  In  her  the  Holy  Spirit  works,  1: 13;  3:16;  4:30. 

(11)  Has  the  promises,  1:13;  2:13. 

(12)  Belongs  to  God  as  a  possession,  1:14. 

(13)  Believes  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  1: 15. 

(14)  Has  a  common  faith,  1: 15;  4:  5. 

(15)  Offers  prayer  to  God  the  Father,  1: 17;  3: 14. 

(16)  Is  enlightened  by  the  Word,  1: 18;  4:31. 

(17)  In  her  God  manifests  great  power,  1:19;  3: 16. 

(18)  Is  the  mystical  body  of  Christ,  1:33,  83;  4:4,  13;  5:32. 

(19)  Is  the  fulness  of  Christ,  i.  e.  is  filled  up  by  Christ,  1:  23; 
3:19. 

(20)  The  receptacle  and  recipient  of  all  his  gifts,  graces,  and 
blessings,  1:23. 

(21)  Is  composed  of  those  who  once  were  dead  in  sin,  and  who 
by  nature  had  been  children  of  wrath,  3:1-5. 

(22)  Consists  of  those  quickened  in  and  with  Christ,  2:5. 

(23)  Anji  raised  up  with  Christ,  2:6. 

(24)  Has  been  saved  by  grace,  2:5,  8. 

(25)  Has  communion  with  God  the  Father,  in  heaven,  in  Christ 
Jesus,  3:6.  • 

(36)  Shall  be  the  recipient  of  the  exceeding  riches  of  God's 
grace,  3:7;  1:33. 

(37)  Is  united  with  Christ,  3:12;  1:23,  33;  4:4,  13:  5:32. 

(38)  Possesses  a  God  and  has  hope,  3: 12. 

(29)  Consists  of  believing  Jews  and  believing  Gentiles,  3:15, 
16;  3:6. 


The  Teaching  op  the  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians.       37 

(30)  Plas  access  unto  the  Father,  through  Christ,  in  one  Spirit, 
2:18:  3:12. 

(31)  Is  the  household  of  God,  2: 19:   a  habitation  of  God,  2:22. 

(32)  Is  built  upon  the  foundation  of  the  Apostles  and  Prophets, 
2:20. 

(33)  Has  Christ  as  the  chief  corner  stone,  2: 20. 

(34)  Is  a  holy  temple,  2:21. 

(35)  Possesses  through  the  Word  the  unsearchable  riches  of 
Christ,  3:8. 

(86)  Is  to  make  known  the  manifold  wisdom  of  God  through 
the  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  3: 10. 

(37)  In  her  Christ  dwells  and  rules,  3: 17-19. 

(38)  In  her  dwells  the  fulness  of  God,  3:19. 

(39)  Ascribes  glory  and  praise  to  the  Father,  3:20,  21. 

(40)  Is  glorious,  3:21;  5:27. 

(41)  Is  to  abide  for  ever,  3:21. 

(42)  In  her  the  Spirit  works  unity  and  peace,  4:3. 

(43)  In  her  we  find  peace,  4:3. 

(44)  Is  one  body,  4:4;  1;22,  23;  4: 16;  5:32. 

(45)  Permeated  by  one  Holy  Spirit,  4:4. 

(46)  Has  one  hope,  4:4. 

(47)  Worships  one  Lord,  4:4. 

(48)  Has  a  unity  of  the  faith,  4: 5. 

(49)  Worships  one  God,  4:6. 

(50)  Has  entrusted  to  her  one  baptism,  4:6. 

(51)  Has  entrusted  to  her  the  office  of  the  ministry,  1:1,  13; 
3:5,  7,  8,  10;  4:11. 

(52)  The  Church  is  to  be  built  up,  4: 12. 

(53)  Must  seek  unto  the  unity  of  the  faith,  4: 13. 

(54)  A  unity  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God,  4:13. 

(55)  Is  one.  1:22,23;  4:4,  13. 

(56)  Her  aim  is  to  attend  the  fulness  that  Christ  has,  4: 13. 

(57)  To  her  in  the  Word,  is  entrusted  the  truth,  the  doctrine, 
the  teaching,  4 :  14. 

(58)  False  teaching  may  arise  within  her,  4:14. 

(59)  Is  to  overcome  error  by  (a)  speaking,  (b)  holding,  (c)  living 
truth,  in  love,  4:  15. 

(60)  Is  incorporated  in  Christ,  4:15. 

(61)  Owes  her  existence  and  growth,  to  Christ,  4:16. 

(62)  Is  a  complex  organism,  4: 16. 


38  Studies  in  the  Book. 

(63)  Is  continually  growing  more  in  harmony,  and  in  power 
(solidity),  4:10. 

(64)  Is  contrasted  with  the  world,  4: 17-20. 

(65)  Hears  and  believes  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  4:  21. 

(66)  Paul  draws  a  distinction  between  the  visible  Church 
(4:14,  22;  5:5),  aud  the  invisible,  4: 13,  16,  24;  3: 18,  19. 

(67)  In  the  Church,  being  members  of  the  one  body,  Christ,  we 
are  members  one  of  another,  4:25. 

(68)  Paul  distinguishes  between  the  militant  or  fighting  Church, 
here  on  earth  (4:14,  22,  25-32;  6:10-20)  and  the  triumphant 
Church,  in  heaven,  1:10,  12,  14,  18;  2:7;  3:21;  5:27. 

(69)  Open  sinners  do  not  belong  to  the  invisible  Church,  5:5. 

(70)  The  Church  must  reprove  the  unfruitful  works  of  dark- 
ness, 5:11-13. 

(71)  The  Church  is  subject  to  Christ,  5:24. 

(72)  Is  loved  by  Christ,  5: 25.  ^ 

(73)  Christ  gave  himself  up  for  her  (5:25),  on  the  cross  (2: 16), 
shedding  his  blood.  1:7;  2:13. 

(74)  Is  sanctified  by  Christ,  5:  26. 

(75)  Is  cleansed  by  the  washing  of  water  with  the  Word,  at 
Baptism,  5:  27. 

(76)  The  Church  is  nourished  by  Christ,  5:30. 

(77)  Is  cherished  by  Christ,  5:30. 

(78)  True  believers,  being  members  of  the  invisible  Church,  are 
members  of  the  body  of  Christ,  5:30. 

(79)  The  militant  Church  must  be  strong  in  the  Lord,  6:10. 

(80)  And  put  on  the  whole  armour  which  God  supplieth, 
6:11-20. 

Eighteenth:  A  careful  comparison  between  the  Epistles  to  the 
Colossians  and  to  the  Ephesians  reveals  the  remarkable  fact 
that  72  of  the  95  verses  in  Colossians  contain  expressions  iden- 
tical with  those  in  78  of  the  155  verses  in  Ephesians. 

Nineteenth:  The  development  of  thought  in  Col.  2: 8-23  has  no 
parallel  in  Ephesians. 

Twentieth:  Compare  the  speech  of  Paul  to  the  Elders  of  Ephe- 
sus,  at  Miletus,  recorded  in  Acts  20:18-35,  with  the  Epistle  to 
the  Ephesians,  and  note  the  similarities  of  expression. 

Twenty  first:  There  are  possibly  twenty  quotations  from  the 
Old  Testament,  or  at  least  so  many  distinct  references,  in  this 
Epistle.      Verify. 

Twenty  second:  Make  a  special  study  of  the  following  topics, 


The  Teaching  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians.        39 

taken  in  the  order  of  their  occurrence  in  the  Epistle:  The  will 
of  God  (1:1),  faithful  in  Christ  Jesus  (1:1),  the  God  and  Father 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  (1:3),  the  heavenly  places  (1 : 3),  adop- 
tion as  sons  (1:5),  the  forgiveness  of  our  trespasses  (1:7),  the 
fulness  of  the  times  (1: 10),  earnest  (1:14),  God's  own  possess- 
ion (1 :  14),  the  Father  of  glory  (1 :  17),  eyes  of  the  heart  (1 :  18), 
the  age  which  is  to  come  (1:21),  dead  through  trespasses  and 
sins  (2: 1)  the  prince  of  the  power  of  the  air  (2:  2),  children  of 
wrath  (2:3),  God's  great  love  (2:4),  quickened  (2:5),  grace 
(2:7,  8),  good  works  (2:10),  the  commonwealth  of  Israel  (2:12), 
the  middle  wall  of  partition  (2: 14),  the  Cross  (2:  IG),  the  house- 
hold of  God  (2: 19),  the  foundation  of  the  Apostles  and  prophets 
(2:20),  revelation  (3:3),  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  (3: 8), 
the  principalities  and  powers  in  the  heavenly  places  (3: 10) 
the  manifold  wisdom  of  God  (3:10),  the  eternal  purpose  of 
God  (3:11),  the  inward  man  (3:16),  one  faith  (4:5),  one  bap- 
tism (4: 5),  he  led  captivity  captive  (4:8),  he  descended  into  the 
lower  parts  of  the  earth  (4:10),  Apostles  (4: 11),  prophets  (4:11), 
evangelists  (4:11),  pastors  and  teachers  (4:11).  the  body  of 
Christ  (4: 12),  the  unity  of  the  faith  (4: 13),  the  spirit  of  the 
mind  (4:23),  sons  of  disobedience  (5:6),  darkness  (5:8),  light  in 
the  Lord  (5:8),  the  whole  armor  of  God  (6:11),  the  wiles  of 
the  devil  (6: 11).  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  (6: 17). 

Twenty-third:  Make  a  careful  comparison  between  the  Author- 
ised and  Revised  Versions  of  this  Epistle,  and  note  the  princi- 
pal changes. 

Twentt-poueth:  Make  a  special  study  of  the  marginal  readings 
of  the  Revised  Version,  and  note  the  most  important  changes 
in  meaning. 

Twenty-fifth:  Summarize  results  obtained  from  your  study  of 
this  Epistle,  and  preserve  for  future  reference. 

Twenty-sixth:  Do  not  be  discouraged  on  account  of  the  time  it 
takes  to  finish  one  of  these  Studies.  Whatever  part  you  take 
in  hand,  do  it  thorougJdy.  Simply  reading  this  Study  will  be 
of  little  help  to  you.  To  acquire  power  of  analysis,  you  must 
examine  the  Word  of  God  for  yourself,  and  rely  on  the  guid- 
ance of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Remember  the  three  means  of  Bible 
Study:  Prayer,  Meditation,  and  Christian  Experience. 


STUDY    V. 

The  Epistle  to  Philemon. 

First:  Read  the  Epistle  carefully  to  find  out  the  circumstances 
under  which  it  was  written. 

(1)  Paul  is  a  prisoner  at  the  time,  1,  9,  13,  23. 

(2)  Expects  soon  to  be  released,  22. 

(3)  The  bearer  of  the  letter  is  Onesimus,  11,  12,  17. 

(4)  The  companions  of  Paul  at  the  time  are  Timothy,  Epaphras, 
Mark,  Aristarchus,  Demas,  and  Luke,  1,  23,  24. 

Second:  From  these  facts  we  learn  that  the  Epistle  was  written 
at  the  same  time  that  Paul  wrote  the  Epistles  to  the  Colossians 
and  the  Ephesians,  and  that  Onesimus  was  accompanied  at  the 
time  by  Tychicus,  the  bearer  of  the  other  two  letters,  Col.  1:1; 
4:7,  9,  10,  12,  14;  Eph.  6:21. 

Third:  This  letter,  therefore,  was  written  during  Paul's  first 
captivity  at  Rome,  during  the  two  years  spoken  of  in  Acts 
28:30  (61-63  A.  D.).  Compare  the  Studies  on  Colossians  and 
on  Ephesians. 

Fourth:  Read  the  Epistle  carefully  a  second  time  and  note  what 
information  Paul  gives  us  concerning  the  persons  iowhom  and 
for  whom  the  letter  was  written. 

(1)  Of  Philemon  we  have  no  further  information  save  what  we 
learn  from  the  Epistle  itself. 

(2)  He  was  evidently  a  member  of  the  Church  at  Colossse,  2, 
10,  compared  with  Col.  4: 17,  9. 

(3)  Had  been  converted  by  Paul  himself  (19),  possibly  while  on 
a  visit  to  Ephesus,  during  Paul's  long  residence  there  (54-57 
A.  D.),  Acts  19:10;  20:31. 

(4)  Was  a  person  of  property  and  influence,  2,  5,  7,  16. 

(5)  Noted  for  his  Christian  love  and  evangelical  zeal,  a  "fellow- 
worker,"  1,  2,  5,  7,  21. 

(6)  AppMa  probably  was  the  wife  of  Philemon,  and  was  also  a 
Christian,  "our  sister,"  2. 

40 


The  Epistle  to  Philemon.  41 

(7)  Archippus  may  have  been  the  son  of  Philemon  and  Apphia. 
He  ia  evidently  the  same  Archippus  mentioned  in  Col.  4:17. 

(S)  He  had  a  "ministry"  (4:17),  and  is  called  a  "fellow- 
soldier"  (2),  and  seems  to  have  been  the  pastor  or  teacher  at 
Colossse,  though  some  on  account  of  Col.  4:17  think  he  was 
stationed  at  Laodicea,  which  was  about  fifteen  miles  distant. 

(9)  Onesimus  was  a  slave  of  Philemon,  who  had  run  away  from 
him  (11,  12,  14,  15,  16),  possibly  also  robbing  him  (18). 

(10)  Having  flel  to  Rome,  Onesimus  had  been  converted,  and 
had  become  a  devoted  friend,  a  "brother  beloved,"  to  Paul, 
10,  12,  16. 

(11)  Had  become  of  great  service  to  Paul,  having  won  entirely 
the  Apostle's  heart,  11,  12,  13. 

Fifth:  The  contents  of  the  Epistle  plainly  reveal  to  us  the  occa- 
sion and  object  of  the  letter. 

(1)  It  holds  a  unique  place  among  Paul's  writings,  being  a 
strictly  private  letter,  apparently  addressed  to  a  layman, 
wholly  occupied  with  an  incident  of  domestic  life. 

(2)  Onesimus,  having  become  a  Christian,  was  returning  to  his 
master  whom  he  had  wronged,  a  changed  and  repentant  man. 

(3)  According  to  the  Roman  law,  by  returning  he  would  place 
himself  entirely  at  the  mercy  of  his  master,  who  had  the 
power  of  life  or  death  over  him. 

(4)  Paul  seeks  "to  restore  Onesimus  to  the  confidence  and  love 
of  his  master  and  to  ensure  for  him  a  reception  which  he 
might  j  ustly  have  been  considered  wholly  to  have  forfeited  " 
(ElUcoit).  "With  his  own  hand  (19)  he  writes  to  Philemon  a 
few  words  of  eager,  affectionate  entreaty,  identifying  him- 
self with  the  case  of  Onesimus. 

Sixth:  The  Epistle  has  been  universally  admired  as  a  model  of 
delicacy  and  skill  in  the  department  of  composition  to  which 
it  belongs. 

(1)  "This  Epistle  showeth  a  right  noble  lovely  example  of 
Christian  love  "  {Luther). 

(2)  "  The  single  epistle  to  Philemon  very  far  surpasses  all  the 
wisdom  of  the  world  "  {Franke). 

(3)  "  This  exquisite  and  interesting  Epistle,  alike  a  master- 
piece of  persuasive  tact  and  delicacy,  and  an  enduring  model 
of  truest  Christian  courtesy  "  {Ellicott). 

(4)  "As  an  expression  of  simple  dignity,  of  refined  courtesy,  of 


42  Studies  in  the  Book. 

large  sympathy,  and  of  warm  personal  affection,  the  Epistle 
to  Philemon  stands  unrivalled  "  {LigJitfoot). 

Seventh:  The  significance  of  the  Epistle  lies  in  the  fact  that  it 
exhibits  the  attitude  of  Christianity  to  slavery. 

Eighth:  The  Gospel  never  directly  attacks  slavery  as  an  insti- 
tution. 

Ninth:  The  Gospel  instead  of  attacking  special  abuses,  lays 
down  universal  principles  which  shall  undermine  the  evil. 

Tenth:  The  principles  of  the  Gospel,  which  declare  the  abso- 
lute equality  of  the  freeman  and  the  slave  in  the  sight  of  God 
(I.  Cor.  7:21-23),  must  in  the  end  prove  fatal  to  slavery,  as  it 
already  has  dope. 

Eleventh:  A  careful  reading  of  the  Epistle  gives  us  the  follow- 
ing analysis: 

(1)  m.  1-3.    The  Salutation. 

(2)  vv.  4-7.     The  character  of  Philemon,  and  the  Apostle's  joy 
and  gratitude  on  his  account. 

(3)  vv.  8-21.     Paul  entreats  Philemon  to  forget  the  past,  and 
receive  Onesimus  again  as  a  Christian  friend  and  brother. 

(4)  vv.  22-25.     Paul  hopes  to  be  set  free,  and  sends  the  greet- 
ings of  friends  at  Rome.     (Analysis  after  Haekett). 

Twelfth:  Make  a  careful  comparison  between  the  Authorised 
and  Revised  Versions  of  this  Epistle,  and  note  the  principal 
changes. 

Thirteenth:  Examine  carefully  the  marginal  readings  of  the 
Revised  Version. 

Fourteenth:  To  the  student  of  the  English  text  we  would  rec- 
ommend the  Commentaries  of  Barry  (in  Handy  Commentary), 
Alexander  (in  Speaker's  Commentary),  and  Moule  (in  Cam- 
bridge Series). 

Fifteenth:  For  students  of  the  Greek  Text  see  Alford,  Boise, 
Ellicott,  Haekett,  Lightfoot,  and  Meyer. 


STUDY    VI. 

The  Epistle  to  the  Philippians. 

First:  Read  the  Epistle  carefully  and  note  what  information 
Paul  gives  concerning  himself  and  the  circumstances  under 
which  the  letter  was  written. 

(1)  Paul  is  in  prison  at  the  time,  1:  7,  13,  14,  17; 

(2)  Evidently  in  Rome,  1:  13;  4:  22. 

(3)  In  close  confinement,  1:  30;  suffering  affliction,  1:  30;  2:  28. 

(4)  Seems  to  have  been  confined  for  a  long  time,  1:  13,  14;  2: 
25-28. 

(5)  Was  drawing  near  the  decision  of  his  fate,  1:  20;  2:  17,  23. 

(6)  And  hopes  to  be  released,  1:  25,  26;  2:  24. 

(7)  Epaphroditus  was  evidently  the  bearer  of  the  letter,  2: 
28,  29. 

Second:  We  have  a  right, -therefore,  to  infer  that  the  Epistle 
was  written  towards  the  close  of  his  first  captivity  at  Rome 
(60-63  A.  D.),  "at  a  time  when,  as  it  would  seem,  his  imprison- 
ment was  of  a  closer  and  harsher  character,  and  his  earthly 
prospects  were,  though  not  by  any  means  without  hope  (1:  25, 
26;  2:  24),  yet  in  many  respects  more  cheerless  and  depressing 
than  when  he  wrote  to  the  Colossians  and  Philemon,  and  to 
the  Ephesians  (1:  20,  21;  2:  17,  28)."    {ElUcott). 

Third:  A  few  commentators  hold  that  Philipians  was  written 
before  Col.,  Eph.  and  Philemon,  but  this  is  a  critical  question 
of  no  importance.     (See  Study  on  Colossians.) 

Fourth:  Give  a  brief  description  of  the  geographical  position 
and  importance  of  the  colonial  city  of  Philippi. 

Fifth:  Give  a  brief  account  of  Paul's  relation  to  the  Church  at 
Philippi. 

(1)  It  was  on  his  Second  Missionary  Journey  that  the  Church 
at  Philippi  was  founded  (50,  51  A.  D.),  Acts  16:  12-40. 

(2)  At  the  close  of  his  third  Missionary  Journey  (57  A.  D.), 

43 


44  Studies  in  the  Book. 

after  his  leaving  Ephesus  (Acts  20: 1),  he  went  into  Mace- 
donia (II.  Cor.  2:  12,  13;  7:  5,  6),  where  he  wrote  his  second 
letter  to  the  Corinthians,  and  there  can  scarcely  be  any 
question  that  he  spent  some  time  at  Philippi,  Acts  20;  2. 

(3)  In  that  same  journey,  some  three  or  four  months  later 
(Acts  20:  2,  3),  on  his  return  from  Greece,  he  evidently  spent 
the  Passover  at  Philippi,  Acts  20:  6. 

(4)  Paul  was  greatly  beloved  by  the  Philippians,  and  received 
repeated  contributions  from  them  to  relievo  his  necessities 
4:15,  16;  II.  Cor.  11:9. 

Sixth:  Read  the  Epistle  carefully  and  note  the  immediate  occa- 
sion of  Paul  writing  this  letter. 

(1)  The  Philippians,  hearing  of  his  imprisonment  and  affliction 
(4: 10,  14),  had  sent  contributions  to  relieve  his  necessities, 
1:5;  2:25;  4:18. 

(2)  By  the  hand  of  Epaphroditus,  2:25;  4: 18. 

(3)  Who  had  been  very  ill  at  Rome,  and  longed  to  return  to 
Philippi,  2:26-30. 

(4)  The  Apostle  avails  himself  of  the  return  of  Epaphroditus 
(2:  28,  29),  to  write  this  letter,  in  which  he  pours  out  his 
heart  in  an  overflow  of  gratitude  and  love. 

Seventh:  The  genuineness  and  authenticity  of  the  Epistle  are 
fully  established  by  external  testimony,  the  Epistle  being 
named  in  all  the  Canons  of  Scripture  during  the  second  cen- 
tury. No  trace  of  doubt  on  this  subject  appears  in  early 
Christian  literature. 
Eighth:  The  internal  evidence  for  its  genuineness  is  of  the 
strongest  kind.  "This  evidence  is  of  two  kinds,  positive  and 
negative.  On  the  one  hand  the  Epistle  completely  reflects  St. 
Paul's  mind  and  character,  even  in  their  finest  shades.  On  the 
other  it  offers  no  motive  which  could  have  led  to  a  forgery. 
Only  as  the  natural  outpouring  of  personal  feeling,  called 
forth  by  immediate  circumstances,  is  it  in  any  way  conceiva- 
ble "  (LigMfooi). 
Ninth:  As  to  the  character  of  the  Epistle,  we  add  the  following 
thoughts  from  Lightfoot: 

(1)  "It  was  not  written,  like  the  Epistle  to  the  Galatians,  to 
counteract  doctrinal  errors,  or,  like  the  First  to  the  Corinth- 
ians, to  correct  irregularities  of  practice.  It  enforces  no 
direct  lessons  of  Church  government,  though  it  makes  casual 
allusion  to  Church  officers.    It  lays  down  no  dogmatic  sys- 


The  Epistle  to  the  Philippians.  45 

tern,  though  incidentally  it  refers  to  the  majesty  and  the 
humiliation  of  Christ,  and  to  the  contrast  of  law  and  grace. 
It  is  the  spontaneous  utterance  of  Christian  love  and  grati- 
tude, called  forth  by  a  recent  token  which  the  Philippians 
had  given  of  their  loyal  aflEection.". 

(2)  "Of  errors  of  doctrine  there  is  not  the  faintest  trace  in  the 
Philippian  Church." 

(3)  "Of  plan  and  arrangement  there  is  even  less  than  in  St. 
Paul's  letters  generally.  .  .  .  Even  the  threefold  division 
into  the  explanatory,  doctrinal  and  hortatory  portions,  which 
may  generally  be  discerned  in  his  Epistles,  is  obliterated 
here." 

(4)  "The  Epistle  to  the  Philippians  is  not  only  the  noblest  re- 
flexion of  St.  Paul's  personal  character  and  spiritual  illum- 
ination, his  large  sympathies,  his  womanly  tenderness,  his 
delicate  courtesy,  his  frank  independence,  his  entire  devo- 
tion to  the  Master's  service;  but  as  a  monument  of  the 
power  of  the  Gospel  it  yields  in  importance  to  none  of  the 
Apostolic  writings."  *♦ 

Tenth:  Read  each  chapter  carefully  and  divide  into  sections 
with  appropriate  headings.*  Study  carefully  each  section, 
and  write  out  the  thought  as  concisely  as  possible. 

1.  1:  1,  2.     Opening  Salutation. 

V.  1.  Bishop  and  Elder  are  in  fact  the  same  official  under 
different  designations.  Acts  20: 17,  28.  The  word  Bishop, 
Episcopus,  Overseer,  is  a  term  borrowed  mainly  from  the 
Gentiles,  with  whom  it  signified  a  Superintendent.  The 
word  describes  the  ministerial  office  as  one  of  overdgJit. 
Presbyter  or  Elder  is  a  term  borrowed  from  the  "Elder- 
ship" of  the  Jews,  and  describes  the  ministerial  office  as 
one  of  age  and  dignity. 

The  deacon  had  to  deal  primarily  with  the  temporal 
needs  of  the  congregation.    Acts  6:3,  4. 

2.  1:3-11.     Thanksgiving  and  prayer  for  his  converts. 

3.  1: 12  26.  Account  of  his  personal  circumttances  and  f til- 
ings; and  of  the  progress  of  the  Oospel  in  Rome. 

V.  13.  The  soldiers  of  the  Roman  life-guard  of  the  Emperor, 
drafted  off  successively  to  guard  Paul,  had  opportunities 
of  learning  his  doctrine. 

1  We  also  add  a  few  explanatory  notes.     The  analysis  is  mainly  after  Ligtit- 
foot. 


46  Studies  in  the  Book. 

«.  15.  Paul  here  evidently  refers  to  his  Judaizing  oppo- 
nents, whose  real  object  was  to  gain  adherents  to  the 
land,  3:2,  3. 

V.  20.  At  the  time  of  writing,  Paul's  trial  was  near  at  hand; 
and  the  issue  was  unknown  to  him. 

V.  23.  (1)  Note  that  the  immediate  state  of  dying  saints  is 
an  object  of  desire. 

(2)  That  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ  involve  each  other. 
Paul  does  not  desire  to  enter  on  an  intermediate  state, 
or  to  enter  Hades,  but  his  desire  is  to  depart  in  order  at 
once  to  be  with  Christ. 

(3)  Note  that  the  state  of  the  departed  saint  is  one  in  which 
he  is  with  Christ.  This  agrees  with  the  teaching  of 
Jesus,  John  17:24. 

4.  1:27—2:4.     Exhortation  to  unity  and  self-denial. 

vv.  1,  2.  "The  Apostle  here  appeals  to  the  Philippians,  by 
all  their  deepest  experiences  as  Christians  and  all  their 
noblest  impulses  as  men,  to  preserve  peace  and  concord. 
Of  the  four  grounds  of  appeal,  the  lirst  and  third  are  ob- 
jective, the  external  principles  of  love  and  harmony; 
while  the  second  and  fourth  are  subjective,  the  inward 
feelings  inspired  thereby."    {Light foot). 

5.  2:5-11.     Christ  the  great  pattern  of  humility. 

A  most  remarkable  passage,  in  which  nearly  every  word  has 
formed  the  subject  of  controversy.     In  no  portion   of 
Scripture  is  it  more  necessary  to  follow  the  simple  and 
plain  grammatical  meaning  of  the  words. 
In  vv.  5-8  we  have  a  description  of  Christ's  state  of  humilia- 
tion, while  on  earth.     In  vv.  9-11  we  have  a  description  of 
Christ's  state  of  exaltation,  as  he  now  exists  in  heaven. 
V.  6.     "Who,"  ^.  e.,  Christ  Jesus,  the  incarnate  son  of  God. 
"Being  in  the  form  of  God,"  i.  e.,  although  he  took  the 
form  of  a  servant,  and  was  made  in  the  likeness  of  men 
(».  7),  he  still  truly  possessed  at  the  same  time  a  divine 
nature,  and  did  not  lay  aside  his  divine  attributes. 
"Counted  it  not  a  prize  to  be  on  an  equality  with  God," 
i.  e.,  the  son  of  God  subsinted  in  that  form  of  God  from 
eternity;  and  when  He  came  in  the  flesh  He  did  not 
cease  to  be  in  that  form,  but  rather,  so  far  as  the  human 
nature  is -concerned,  He  began  to  subsist  in  it;   and 
when  He  was  in  that  form  (as  the  God  Man),  by  His  own 


The  Epistle  to  the  Philippians.  47 

peculiar  pre-eminence  itself  as  Lord,  it  was  entirely  in 
His  power,  even  accordins^  to  His  human  nature,  so  soon 
as  He  assumed  it,  to  be  on  an  equality  with  God,   to 
adopt  a  mode  of  life  and  outward  distinctions,  which 
would  correspond  to  His  dignit3^  that  he  might  be  re- 
ceived and  treated  by  all  creatures  as  their  Lord;  but 
He  acted  diilerently.     It  would  not  have  been  robbery 
(A.  V.)  "a  prize,"  "a  thing  to  be  grasped"  (R.  V.),  if  He 
had  used  His  own  right;  but  He  abstained  from  doing 
so,  just  as  if  it  had  been  robbery,  because  He  became  in- 
carnate for  the  purpose  of  making  reconciliation  for  the 
sins  of  men.    (After  Bengel.) 
.  7.     "Emptied  himself,  taking  the  form  of  a  servant." 
Wherever  there  is  emptying,  there  is  a  thing  containing 
and   a  thing  contained.      The  thing  containing,  in  this 
emptying  of  Christ,  is  Himself;  the  thing  contained  was 
ih^i  fulness,  which  He  received  in  His  exaltation.     He  re- 
mained full,   for  "the   Word    became  flesh,   and    dwelt 
among  us  (and  we  beheld  his  glory,  glory  as  of  the  only 
begotten  from  the  Father),  full  of  grace  and  truth"  (John 
1:  14);  yet  Christ  bore  Himself  in  the  same  way  as  if  He 
were  empty,  for  he  avoided  the  observation,  so  far  as  it 
was  expedient,  of  men  and  angels,  nay  He  "also  pleased 
not  Himself  "  (Rom.  15:  3),  and  therefore  for  our  sake  not 
only  avoided  observation,  but  also  denied  Himself,  and 
abstained  from  His  rights.     (After  Bengel.)    Christ  in  his 
state  of  humiliation  abstained  from  the  full,  universal, 
and  incessant  use  of  the  divine  glory  and  majesty  which 
he  possessed,  but  "humbled  himself,  becoming  obedient 
even  unto  death,  yea,  the  death  of  the  cross"  {v.  8). 
"Being  made  in  the  likeness  of  men."    He  was  made  like 
men,  a  true  man,  and  he  was  able  to  take  "the  form  of  a 
servant"  for  the  very  reason  that  he  was  "in  the  like- 
ness of  men." 

"He  humbled  himself."  In  the  great  fact  of  Christ's 
humiliation  St.  Paul  lays  stress  upon  three  points:  (1) 
He  emptied  himself;  (2)  By  taking  the  form  of  a  servant; 
(3)  By  becoming  obedient  even  unto  the  death  of  the 
cross. 
9.  This  exaltation  has  reference  to  the  human  nature  of 
Christ;  as  the  Son  of  Man,  Christ  was  invested  with  that 


48  Studies  in  the  Book. 

full  power,  glory,  and  dominion,  which  as  God  he  never 
lacked. 

6.  2:12-18.     Practical  following  of  Christ' s  example. 

7.  2: 19-30.  1  hope  to  send  Timothy  shortly  unto  you  and  to 
come  myself.  Epa/phroditus,  your  messenger,  who  has  been 
grievously  sick,  I  send,  that  you  may  rejoice. 

8.  3:  1-11.  Rejoice,  brethren;  beware  of  Judaizers  who  trust  in 
the  flesh.  I  have  every  cause  to  trust  therein,  but  value  naught 
save  Christ,  7iis  righteousness,  and  the  power  of  his  resurrec- 
tion. 

V.  9,     (1)  Paul  here  speaks  of  a  righteousness; 

(2)  Not  of  his  own; 

(3)  Not  of  the  law; 

(4)  Which  has  its  source  and  origin  in  God; 

(5)  Which  is  imputed  to  the  believer; 

(6)  Who  appropriates  Christ  through  faith; 

(7)  And  is  found  in  him. 

V.  11.  "If  by  any  means  I  may  attain  unto  the  resurrection 
from  the  dead."  A  most  remarkable  saying.  "The  resur- 
rection from  the  dead,"  i.  e.,  "as  the  context  suggests,  the 
first  resurrection  (Rev.  20:  5),  when  at  the  Lord's  coming 
the  dead  in  Him  shall  rise  first  (I.  Thess.  4:  16),  and  the 
quick  be  caught  up  to  meet  Him  in  the  clouds  (I.  Thess. 
4:  17);  comp.  Luke  20:  35.  The  first  resurrection  will  in- 
clude only  true  believers,  and  will  apparently  precede  the 
second,  that  of  non-believers  and  disbelievers,  in  point  of 
time."    (Ellicott.) 

9.  3:  12-16.  I  7iave  not  yet  obtained,  but  am  eagerly  pressing 
forward:  in  this  imitate  me. 

10.  3:17-21.  Imitate  me  and  my  followers;  for  many,  alat! 
mind  earthly  things.  Our  country  is  in  heaven,  whence  we  look 
for  our  Lord  and  our  final  glorification. 

V.  19.  There  is  a  certain  fearful  end  that  awaits  the  wicked, 
but  this  end  is  not  a  restoration  to  fellowship  with  God, 
not  annihilation,  hni  perdition,  "punishment,  even  eternal 
destruction,"  II.  Thess.  1:9;  Matt.  25:  41,  46;  Rom.  2:  7-9; 
Rev.  14:  11;  John  3:  36;  5:  28,  29;  Rev,  20:  10. 

11.  4:  1.     Brethren,  standfast  in  the  Lord. 

12.  4:2,  3.  The  Apostle  once  more  urges  them  to  heal  their  dis- 
sensions, appealing  to  tJiem  by  name. 

V.  3.    Who  this  "true  yokefellow"  was  is  unknown, — pos- 


The  Epistle  to  the  Philippians.  49 

sibly  the  chief  pastor  of  Philippi,  or  Epaphroditus  himself , 
the  bearer  of  the  letter. 

13.  4:  4-9.  He  exhorts  them  to  joy  fulness,  to  freedom  from 
care,  and  to  practice  all  that  is  good. 

14.  4: 10-20.  He  gratefully  acknowledges  their  alms  received 
through  Epaphroditus,  and  invokes  a  blessing  on  their  thought- 
ful love. 

15.  4:  21,  22.     Salutations  from  all  to  all. 

16.  4: 23.     Benedictior^ 

Eleventh:  Give  an  oral  statement  of  the  Epistle,  chapter  by 
chapter 

Twelfth:  To  the  student  of  the  English  text  we  would  recom- 
mend Moule's  Commentary  in  Cambridge  Series,  and  to  stu- 
dents of  the  Greek  text,  Alford,  Boise,  Ellicott,  Lightfoot, 
and  Meyer. 


STUDY    VII. 

The  Teaching  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Philippians. 

First:  "The  Philippian  Epistle  may  be  taken  to  exhibit  the 
normal  type  of  the  Apostle's  teaching,  when  not  determined 
and  limited  by  individual  circumstances,  and  thus  to  present 
the  essential  substance  of  the  Gospel."    {Lightfoot.) 

Second:  Compare  on  the  one  hand,  Galatians  and  Romans,  and 
on  the  other,  Colossians  and  Ephesians,  with  this  Epistle  to 
the  Philippians,  and  note  the  contrast. 

Third:  If  we  would  learn  what  Paul  held  to  be  the  essence  of 
the  Gospel,  we  must  ask  ourselves  what  is  the  significance  of 
such  phrases  as  "I  long  after  you  in  the  tender  mercies  of 
Christ  Jesus"  (1:  8),  "To  me  to  live  is  Christ"  (1:  31),  "That  I 
may  know  the  power  of  Christ's  resurrection"  (3:  10),  "I  can 
do  all  things  in  him  that  strengtheneth  me"  (4:  13).  Though 
the  Gospel  is  capable  of  doctrinal  exposition,  though  it  is  em- 
inently fertile  in  moral  results,  yet  its  substance  is  neither  a 
dogmatic  system  nor  an  ethical  code,  but  a  Person  and  a  Life. 
( Lightfoot). 

Fourth:  Read  the  whole  Epistle  carefully,  section  by  section, 
and  note  what  Paul  teaches  concerning  our  Duties  to  God. 

Fifth:  Read  again,  and  note  what  Paul  teaches  concerning  our 
Duties  to  our  Fellow- man:  (1)  To  believers;  (2)  To  unbelievers. 

Sixth:  Read  the  Epistle  a  third  time,  and  note  what  Duties  we 
owe  to  self. 

Seventh:  Read  the  Epistle  carefully  and  note  what  Paul  teaches 
with  reference  to  the  Doctrine  of  God. 

Eighth:  Write  out  clearly  what  Christ  teaches  concerning  the 
Humiliation  of  Christ. 

Ninth:  Write  out  clearly  what  Paul  teaches  concerning  the 
Exaltation  of  Christ. 

Tenth:  Concerning  the  Work  of  Christ. 

50 


The  TEACHrNG  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Philippians.       51 

Eleventh:  Make  a  special  study  of  the  following  topics  and 
phrases:  Saints  in  Christ  Jesus  (1:1),  bishops  (1:  1),  deacons 
(1: 1),  grace  (1:  3),  peace  (1:  3),  joy  (1;  4),  the  gospel  (1:5),  the 
day  of  Jesus  Christ  (1:6),  I  have  you  in  my  heart  (1:  7),  the 
whole  praetorian  guard  (1: 13),  to  live  is  Christ  (1:  31),  to  die  is 
gain  (1:  31),  to  be  with  Christ  (1:  33),  the  faith  of  the  Gospel 
(1:27),  perdition  (1:28;  3:  19),  comfort  in  Christ  (3:  1),  lowli- 
ness of  mind  (2:3),  the  word  of  life  (3:  16),  rejoice  in  the 
Lord  (3:1),  that  I  may  gain  Christ  (3:  8),  the  righteousness 
which  is  of  God  (3:  9),  conformed  unto  Christ's  death  (3:  10), 
the  cross  of  Christ  (3:  18),  the  body  of  our  humiliation  (3:  31), 
Caesar's  household  (4:  33). 

Twelfth:  Make  a  careful  comparison  between  the  Authorised 
and  Revised  Versions,  and  note  the  principal  changes. 

Thirteenth:  Make  a  special  study  of  the  marginal  readings  of 
the  Revised  Version,  and  note  the  most  important  changes  in 
meaning. 

Fourteenth:  This  study  completes  our  consideration  of  the 
four  Epistles  of  the  First  Captivity  at  Rome. 

Fifteenth:  Summarize  the  principal  teachings  of  these  Four 
Epistles. , 


STUDY    VIII. 

The  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews. 

First:  To  answer  the  general  questions  pertaining  to  "Intro- 
duction"—To  whom  written?  By  whom?  When?  Where? — 
wilJ  give  occasion  to  train  ourselves  in  the  methods  of  the 
so  called  Higher  Criticism. 

Second:  For  not  one  of  these  questions  has  been  positively 
answered  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  learned  scholars. 

Third:  Let  us  therefore  see  if  we  can  find  out  for  ourselves  an 
answer — and  in  order  that  these  answers  may  at  least  be  con- 
vincing to  our  minds,  let  us  take  especial  pains  in  our  investi- 
gations. 

Fourth:  Let  us  first  answer  the  question:  What  right  has  this 
book  to  be  in  the  New  Testament? 

That  the  Epistle  has  an  incontrovertible  claim  to  stand  in  the 
Canon  of  the  New  Testament  can  be  shown  both  by  external 
evidence  as  well  as  by  internal  evidence. 

(1)  It  is  found  in  all  translations  of  the  New  Testament,  even 
in  the  Peshito  Syriac  Version,  which  was  made  not  long 
after  150  A.  D. 

(2)  It  is  found  in  all  the  Greek  Manuscripts.  This  takes  us 
back  to  about  350  A.  D. 

(3)  It  was  firmly  established  in  the  Canon  already  at  the 
Councils  of  Laodicea  (366  A.  D.),  and  the  third  of  Carthage 
(397  A.  D.),  and  was  quoted  at  the  Council  of  Nicsea  (-325 
A.  D.) 

(4)  In  the  Eastern  Church  this  Epistle  was  quoted  as  Scrip- 
tural authority  even  from  the  time  of  Justin  Martyr  (100- 
166  A.  D.)  * 

(5)  This  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  already  in  the  first  century, 
was  held  in  the  highest  honor  by  the  Church  at  Rome,  as 
is  evident  from  the  Epistle  of  Clement  of  Rome  to  the 
Church  of  Corinth,  which  was  written  not  later  than  95 
A.  D. 

52 


TiiK  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews.  53 

(6)  The  reason  why  in  many  parts  of  the  Western  Church, 
during  the  third  and  earlier  part  of  the  fourth  centuries, 
this  Epistle  was  placed  among  the  "antilegomena"  or 
"disputed  books,"  was  because  they  were  not  positively 
certain  that  Paul  wrote  it.  They  held  that  a  book  to  be 
canonical  must  have  been  written  by  an  Apostle,  or  at 
least  have  apostolic  sanction. 

(7)  The  external  evidence  is  therefore  very  clear  and  positive 
that  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews  was  regarded  by  the  Early 
Church  as  a  part  of  the  New  Testament. 

(8)  The  internal  evidence,  derived  from  the  study  of  the 
Epistle  itself,  is  equally  strong,  for  "nowhere  are  the 
main  doctrines  of  the  faith  more  purely  or  more  majestic- 
ally set  forth;  nowhere  Holy  Scripture  urged  with  greater 
authority  and  cogency."     (Alford.) 

Fifth:  Let  us  see  if  we  can  decide  to  whom  this  Epistle  was 
written.  Our  only  proper  source  of  information  is  the  Epistle 
itself. 

Sixth:  Read  the  Epistle  carefully,  chapter  by  chapter,  and  note 
what  information  it  gives  concerning  the  persons  addressed. 

(1)  Tbey  are  Hebrews  (1: 1),  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the 
writingsoftheOldTestament,  1:1,  5,  7,8,  10;  2:6,12;  3:2;  etc. 

(2)  Familiar  with  the  Old  Testament  ritual,  and  the  arrange- 
ments of  the  Tabernacle,  2:  17;  4:  14,  15;  5:  1-4;  7:  11;  9:  1- 
10;  etc. 

(3)  Jewish  Christians,  2: 1-3;  3:  1,  14;  4: 1,  2,  14;  etc. 

(4)  They  had  received  the  Gospel  from  the  Apostles  them- . 
selves,  or  from  those  who  had  heard  the  Lord,  2:  3. 

(5)  They  had  been  witnesses  of  miracles  and  of  the  wonderful 
gifts  bestowed  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  2:  4: 

(6)  They  were  in  danger  of  drifting  away  from  the  faith,  2:1; 
3:  6,  14;  4:  1,  11;  5:  11,  12;  6:  1-8,  11,  12;  10:  23,  36-39;  etc. 

(7)  They  had  been  Christians  for  a  long  time: 

(a)  They  ought  to  have  become  teachers  "by  reason  of  the 

time,"  5:  12. 
(6)  They  are  "to  call  to  remembrance  the  former  days"  of 

their  conversion,  10:  32. 
(c)  Those  who  had  originally  preached  to  them  the  word  of 

God  had  already  passed  away,  13:  7. 

(8)  They  had  in  time  past  ministered  unto  the  saints,  and  still 
were  ministering,  6:  10. 


54  Studies  in  the  Book. 

(9)  They  had  in  "former  days"  passed  through  "a  great  conflict 
of  sufferings,"  10:  32-34. 

(10)  In  their  present  afflictions  and  conflict  with  sin,  their 
Christian  profession  has  not  yet  cost  them  tlieir  lives,  13:  4. 

(11)  They  were  liable  to  be  carried  away  by  Judaistic  teach- 
ings and  observances,  13:  9-12;  9:  9,  10. 

(12)  They  have  teachers  or  pastors  who  rule  over  them,  13: 
17,  24. 

(13)  The  Epistle  is  not  written  to  Jewish  Christians  in  general, 
but  to  a  Church  at  some  definite  place,  13:  19,  23. 

(14)  The  locality  of  this  Church  of  Hebrew  Christians  is  no- 
where definitely  stated. 

(15)  But  it  is  difficult  to  resist  the  impression  that  the  writer 
addresses  some  Church  in  Palestine. 

(16)  In  fact  it  seems  that  the  Epistle  was  addressed  to  the 
Mother- Church  at  Jerusalem. 

(a)  Thfe  Church  had  been  founded  by  the  Apostles,  2:  3. 

(6)  God  had  bore  witness  to  the  truth,  by  the  outpouring  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  when  about 
three  thousand  souls  were  converted.  Acts  2:  41. 

(c)  For  more  than  thirty  years  the  Church  had  already-  ex- 
isted, 5:  12;  10:32. 

(d)  Those  who  had  the  rule  over  them  had  already  passed 
away,  13:  7.  (James,  the  Apostle,  son  of  Zebedee,  44  A.  D., 
Acts  12:  1,  2;  probably  James  the  brother  of  the  Lord, 
bishop  of  the  Church  at  Jerusalem). 

(e)  They  were  especially  liable  to  Jewish  influence  and  in 
danger  of  apostasy. 

(/)  On  the  whole,  the  opinion  that  the  writer  addressed  the 
Mother  Church  at  Jerusalem,  or  some  Church  in  or  near 
Palestine,  is  the  most  defensible. 

(17)  The  other  theories,  that  the  Epistle  was  addressed  to 
Jewish  Christians  at  Antioch,  or  at  Alexandria,  or  at  Rome, 
are  mere  conjecture. 

Seventh:  The  writer  seems  to  have  been  in  Italy  (probably  at 

Rome),  at  the  time  of  his  writing.     This  is  the  most  natural 

inference  drawn  from  13:  24. 
Eighth:    The  controversy  respecting  the  authorship    of    this 

Epistle  has  been  one  of  the  most  remarkable  of  the  whole 

range  of  Biblical  criticism. 
Ninth:  The  writer  does  not  name  himself,  and  the  title  of  the 


The  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews.  55 

Epistle  as  given  both  in  the  Authorized  and  Revised  Versions 
is  not  the  one  given  in  the  most  ancient  existing  manuscripts. 

Tenth:  This  heading  is  simply  to  the  Hebrews,  and  all  the 
most  ancient  traditions  relative  to  this  Epistle  imply  that  the 
oldest  copies  had  no  author's  name  prefixed. 

Eleventh:  The  writer  for  some  reason  saw  fit  not  to  put  his 
name  to  it,  although  his  readers  knew  who  wrote  it,  13: 18, 
23,  24;  and  he  was  intimately  acquainted  with  their  surround- 
ings, 6:9,  10;  10:34;  13:7,  19. 

Twelfth:  The  question  of  the  authorship  of  this  Epistle  was 
already  earnestly  discussed  in  the  Early  Church. 

Thirteenth:  Eusebius,  in  his  Church  History,  written  about 
326  A.  D.,  gives  us  the  following  information: 

(1)  Eusebius  gives  us  a  brief  summary  of  the  "Outlines"  of 
Clement  of  Alexandria,  who  lived  165-220  A.  D. 

"Moreover  he  (Clement)  asserts  that  the  Epistle  to  the 
Hebrews  is  Paul's,  but  that  it  was  written  to  the  Hebrews  in 
the  Hebrew  dialect,  and  that  Luke  having  carefully  trans- 
lated it  published  it  for  the  use  of  the  Greeks 

Further  he  (Clement)  remarks:  It  is  natural  that  the  phrase 
Paul  an  Apostle  does  not  occur  in  the  superscription,  for  in 
writing  to  the  Hebrews,  who  had  conceived  a  prejudice 
against  him  and  suspected  him,  he  was  very  wise  in  not  re- 
pelling them  at  the  beginning  by  affixing  his  name.  And. 
then  a  little  further  on  he  (Clement)  adds:  And  as  the  blessed 
presbyter'  before  now  used  to  say,  'since  the  Lord,  as  being 
the  Apostle  of  the  Almighty,  was  sent  to  the  Hebrews,  Paul 
through  his  modesty,  inasmuch  as  he  was  sent  to  the  Gen- 
tiles, does  not  inscribe  himself  Apostle  of  the  Hebrews,  both 
on  account  of  the  honor  due  to  the  Lord,  and  be.cause  it  was 
a  work  of  supererogation  that  he  addressed  an  Epistle  to  the 
Hebrews  also,  since  he  was  herald  and  Apostle  of  the 
Gentiles.'  " 

(This  testimony  to  the  Pauline  origin  of  the  Epistle  is  of 
great  value.) 

(2)  He  also  gives  us  the  opinion  of  Origen,  who  flourished 
186-254  A.  D.,  and  who  was  the  greatest  scholar  of  the 
Ante  Nicene  Fathers. 

1  There  can  belittle  doubt  that  the  "blessed  presbyter"  was  Pantaenui*; 
and  thus  the  tradition  is  carried  up  almost  to  the  Apostolic  age. 


56  Studies  in  the  Book. 

Origen  "thus  discusses  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews  in  his 
Homilies  upon  it:  Every  one  who  is  competent  to  judge  of 
differences  of  diction  would  acknowledge  that  the  style  of 
the  Epistle  entitled  to  the  Hebrews  does  not  exhibit  the 
Apostle's  rudeness  and  simplicity  in  speech,  though  he  ac- 
knowledged himself  to  be  simple  in  his  speech,  that  is,  in  his 
diction,  but  it  is  more  truly  Greek  in  its  composition.  And, 
again,  that  the  thoughts  of  the  Epistle  are  wonderful,  and 
not  second  to  the  acknowledged  writings  of  the  Apostle, 
every  one  who  pays  attention  to  the  reading  of  the  Apostle's 
works  would  also  grant  to  be  true.  And  after  other  re- 
marks, he  (Origen)  adds:  If  I  were  to  express  my  own 
opinion  I  should  say  that  the  thoughts  are  the  Apostle's,  but 
the  diction  and  composition  that  of  some  one  who  recorded 
from  memory  the  Apostle's  teaching,  and,  as  it  were,  illus- 
trated with  a  brief  Commentary  the  saying  of  his  master. 
If  then  any  Church  hold  this  Epistle  to  be  Paul's,  we  can- 
not find  fault  with  it  for  so  doing;  for  it  was  not  without 
good  reason  that  the  men  of  old  time  have  handed  it  down  as 
Paul's.  But  who  it  was  who  wrote  the  Epistle,  God  only 
knows,  certainly.  The  account  which  has  reached  us  is 
(manifold),  some  saying  that  Clement,  who  became  Bishop 
of  Rome,  wrote  it,  while  others  assign  it  to  Luke,  the  author 
of  the  Gospel  and  the  Acts." 
(3)  Eusebius,  himself,  who  represents  the  view  prevailing  in 
the  Churches  of  Palestine,  Syria,  and  Asia  Minor,  says:  "Of 
Paul  the  fourteen  Epistles  commonly  received  are  at  once 
manifest  and  clear.  It  is  not,  however,  right  to  ignore  the 
fact  that  some  have  rejected  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  as- 
serting that  it  is  gainsayed  by  the  Church  of  Rome  as  not 
being  Paul's."  .  .  .  At  another  place  he  says:  Clement 
of  Rome  "most  clearly  shows  that  this  work  (the  Epistle  to 
the  Hebrews)  is  by  no  means  a  late  production.  Whence  it 
is  probable  that  this  was  also  numbered  with  the  other  writ- 
ings of  the  Apostles.  For  as  Paul  had  addressed  the 
Hebrews  in  the  language  of  his  country;  some  say  that  the 
evangelist-Luke,  others  that  Clement,  translated  the  Epistle." 
Fourteenth:  The  Alexandrian  Church,  as  a  whole,  from  the 
beginning,  distinctly  assigned  the  Epistle  to  St.  Paul,  and 
both  Clement  of  Alexandria  and  Origen  frequently  refer  to 
the  Epistle  as  "the  Apostle's"  or  "St.  Paul's,"  and  Athanasius 


The  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews.  57 

{died  373),  in  one  of  his  Festal  Epistles,  written  in  367,  distinctly 
mentions  "fourteen  Epistles  of  St.  Paul"  among  those  which 
had  been  placed  in  the  Canon  and  handed  down. 

Fifteenth:  In  the  oldest  Greek  manuscripts  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment, the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews  stands  before  the  Pastoral 
Epistles,  as  being  an  a^nowledged  letter  of  St.  Paul. 

Sixteenth:  On  the  other  hand,  the  western  tradition,  both 
Roman  and  North  African,  during  the  second  and  third  cen- 
turies, down  to  the  time  of  Augustine  (Synod  of  Hippo,  393, 
and  the  Third  of  Carthage,  397),  is  ^ecidedly  against  the 
Pauline  authorship. 

Seventeenth:  We  have  now  before  us  a  summary  of  the  external 
evidence  of  the  Early  Church,  and  we  can  weigh  it  on  its  own 
merits.  The  weight  of  the  evidence  seems  to  be  in  favor  of 
Paul's  authorship,  especially  as  we  know  that  the  main  reason 
why  the  Western  Church,  for  nearly  two  centuries,  questioned 
the  Pauline  authorship,  rested  on  the  false  supposition  that 
there  were  some  doctrinal  difficulties  in  the  Epistle,  notably 
Heb.  G:  4-6. 

Eighteenth:  This  brings  us  now  to  the  examination  of  the  in- 
ternal evidence,  on  which,  after  all,  in  this  case,  we  must  de- 
pend mainly. 

Nineteenth:  We  will  first  examine  the  objections  drawn  from 
the  contents  of  the  Epistle  itself,  raised  against  the  Pauline 
authorship  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews. 

(1)  The  writer  was  not  an  Apostle,  but  one  who  had  received 
his  knowledge  of  the  truth  from  the  Apostles,  2:  3. 

Stress  is  here  laid  on  "was  confirmed  unto  us  by  them  tliat 
heard,"  as  if  the  writer  was  distinctly  separating  himself 
from  those  who  had  directly  received  the  word  from  the 
Lord. 

Answer:  But  such  extreme  exegesis  is  not  decisive.  Com- 
pare 1:  2;  2:1;  4:1;  6:1;  10:24-26;  12:1;  especially  Acts 
13:31,  32;  22:18. 

(2)  In  the  description  of  the  Temple  furniture  (9:1-10),  the 
writer  falls  into  mistakes,  and  Paul  would  not  have  made 
such  mistakes. 

Ansicer:  But  the  writer  is  not  describing  the  Temple 
services;  he  is  speaking  of  the  arrangements  of  the  Taber- 
nacle. 


58  Studies  in  the  Book. 

(3)  Paul,  if  he  had  written  this  letter,  would  huve  given  his 
name. 

Answer:  TJiere  may  have  been  strong  reasons  why  Paul 
should  not  obtrude  his  name  on  the  Jews,  a  name  which  he 
knew  was  unwelcome  to  them,  especially  as  the  Jewish 
Christians  no  doubt  used  this  Epistle  in  converting  Jews. 
See  also  the  views  of  the  Early  Church  as  given  by  Clement 
of  Alexandria,  as  quoted  above. 

(4)  Paul,  as  the  Apostle  of  the  Gentiles,  would  not  be  likely 
to  write  to  the  Hebrews. 

Answer:  But  he  everywhere  tried  first  of  all  to  preach  to 

the  Jews.     For  his  brethren's  sake  he  would  even  have  been 

content  to  be  "anathema  from  Christ,"  Rom.  9:  3.     Because 

the  Epistle  was  written  to  the  Hebrews,  his  name  is  omitted. 

(.5)  The  style  (in  Greek)  is  not  that  of  the  Pauline  Epistles. 

A7iswer:  This  is  a  very  refined  critical  argument,  and  the 
more  we  study  the  original,  and  enter  into  its  spirit,  the 
stronger  this  argument  becomes.  In  fact  we  are  almost 
driven  to  the  conclusion  that  the  composition  of  the  Greek 
was  not  Paul's. 

(a)  Paul  almost  uniformly  quotes  from  the  Hebrew  Bible;  in 
this  Epistle  the  quotations-  are  taken  mainly  from  the 
Septuagint. 

(b)  In  this  Epistle  there  is  a  peculiar  use  of  connecting 
particles,  which  also  gives  a  peculiar  structure  to  the 
sentences. 

(c)  The  Greek  used  is  the  most  perfect  in  the  Greek  Testa- 
ment, and  nothing  can  be  compared  with  it  in  purity  of 
language,  save  the  writings  of  Luke. 

id)  But  even  if  Paul  did  not  write  the  Greek,  this  does  not 

decide  that  Paul  was  not  the  author  of  the  Epistle. 

(art)  He  may  have  had  Luke  as  his  amanuensis. 

(bb)  Or,  as  is  most  likely,  he  may  have  written  the  letter 
in  Hebrew,  and  Luke  afterwards  translated  it,  or  re- 
wrote it,  having  received  the  substance  from  Paul  him- 
self. 

(cc)  This  is  all  the  more  likely,  because  on  the  closest  ex- 
amination of  the  Greek  of  this  Epistle  we  see  its  re- 
markable resemblance  to  the  diction  of  Luke,  especially 
to  those  passages  in  the  Acts  where  Luke  reproduces 
the  speeches  of  Paul,  some  of  which  were  delivered  in 


The  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews.  59 

the  Hebrew  or  Aramaic  tongue.     Compare  Acts  13:  16- 
41;    14:   15-17;    17:  22-31;    20:18-35;    22:1-21;  24:10-21; 
26:2-29. 
(dd)  The  fidelity  with  which  Luke  reproduces  these  speeches 

is  unquestionable. 
(ee)  So  that  the  early  tradition,  as  given  by  Clement  of 
Alexandria,  and  referred  to  by  Origen,  may  be  the  cor- 
rect one— that  Paul  is  the  author,  but  that  the  Greek  in 
which  it  was  written  was  from  the  hand  of  Luke. 
iff)  "If  indeed  it  were  credible  that  the  Epistle  was  orig- 
inally written  in  'Hebrew,'  then  the 'external  and  inter- 
nal evidence  combined  would  justify  the  belief  that  the 
Greek  text  is  due  to  St.  Luke."     {  Westcott.) 
(6)  Tlie  last   objection  generally    made  against  its   Pauline 
authorship  is  that  there  are  differences  of  doctrinal  statements 
between  this  Epistle  and  Paul's  other  Epistles. 

Answer  (a):  The  closer  we  study  the  Epistle,  the  more  re- 
markable are  the  parallels  of  thought  and  doctrine  between 
its  teachings  and  those  of  the  other  Epistles  of  Paiil. 

(b)  That  this  is  so  will  appear  more  clearly  by  the  time  we 
have  finished  the  study  of  this  Epistle. 
Twentieth:  Read  the  Epistle  carefully  and  note  what  we  can 
learn  of  the  Author. 
(l)He  is  a  Jew,  1:1,  2;  etc. 

(2)  Thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  Old  Testament  and  its 
ritual. 

(3)  Uses  many  Greek  words  common  to  this  Epistle  and  St. 
Paul's  writings,  but  not  found  elsewhere  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment (51  words).  ^ 

(4)  Many  verbal  resemblances  between  this  Epistle  and  Paul's 
letters. 

(5)  Many  resemblances  of  doctrine. 

(6)  The  author  shows  he  was  perfectly  familiar  with  Paul's 
writings. 

(7)  Speaks  of  Timothy  in  the  same  way  as  Paul  does,  13:  23 
compared  with  Col.  1:1;  Philemon  1;  etc. 

Twenty-first:  After  all  our  investigations  we  may  conclude 
that  the  Epistle  is  Pauline,  possibly  written  in  Greek  by  Paul 
himself,  more  likely  the  GreeR  wording  of  it  belongs  to  Luke. 

1  Hints  to  the  student  of  the  Greek  text. 


60  Studies  in  the  Book. 

Twenty  second:  So  that  after  all  we  have  not  been  able  to  ad- 
vance beyond  the  statement  of  Origen  as  given  above. 

Twenty-third:  The  majority  of  modern  Commentators  favor 
the  view  that  Apollos  wrote  this  Epistle,  a  happy  guess  of  the 
genius  of  Luther,  suggested  by  Acts  18:  24-28,  a  few  Barnabas, 
and  some  Luke. 

Twenty-fourth:  This  question  of  authorship  will  probably 
never  be  decided  with  absolute  certainty. 

Twenty  fifth:  After  repeated  investigation,  the  writer  holds 
that  the  Epistle  is  Pauline,  possibly  written  by  Luke  as  the 
amanuensis,  or  even  the  translator  (?),  and  from  13:  22-24  we 
may  infer  the  letter  was  written  at  Rome,  probably  at  the  close 
of  Paul's  first  imprisonment,  about  63  A.  D.,  as  we  know  that 
Timothy  and  Luke  were  then  with  him.  That  the  book  was 
written  before  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem,  while  the  Temple 
was  still  standing,  is  evident  from  8:  4,  13;  9:  6,  8,  9;  12:  27; 
13:  10. 

Twenty-sixth:  The  aim  of  the  writer  of  this  Epistle  is: 

(1)  To  strengthen  and  comfort  his  readers  in  their  persecutions 
and  afflictions,  10:  32-36;  12:  7-13; 

(2)  To  warn  them  against  the  danger  of  apostasy  to  Judaism, 
2:  1-^3;  3:  6,  14;  4:  1,  14;  6:  1-8;  10:  23,  26-31. 

Twenty  seventh:  A  careful  reading  of  the  Epistle  (one  hour) 
shows  that  it  naturally  can  be  divided  into  four  parts: 
I.     The  Incarnate  Son  of  God  is  Superior  to  the  Angels,  1: 
1-2:18. 
II.     Superior  to  Moses,  3:  1—4:  16. 

III.  Superior  to  Aaron: 

(1)  In  the  order  of  His  Priesthood,  5:  1—7:  28. 

(2)  In  the  nature  of  His  Ministry,  8:  1—10:  18. 

IV.  Exhortation.  10:  19—13:  25. 

Twenty  eighth:   Read  the  Epistle  carefully,  and  divide  into 
sections  with   appropriate  headings.  ^     Study  carefully  each 
section,  and  write  out  the  thought  as  concisely  as  follows: 
1.    1:1-3.     In  former  Revelations  God  has  spoken  ihrongh  Uie 
PropTiets,  but  now  he  has  spoken  in  his  Son. 
V.  1.     God  spake  in  the  prophets,  who  were  impired  by  him. 
m.  2,  8.     A  most  remarkable  description  of  the  person,  work, 
and  exaltation  of  the  God-Man. 


1  We  alBO  add  a  few  explanatory  notes. 


The  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews.  61 

2.  1:4-14.  Who,  according  to  his  human  nature,  has  become 
Superior  to  the  Angels. 

V.  4.  Accordiug  to  his  divine  nature,  from  eternity,  the  Son 
was  always  greater  than  the  angels,  but  by  Christ's  being 
exalted  on  the  right  hand  of  the  Majesty  on  high,  the 
God-M^n,  according  to  his  human  nature,  hath  inherited  a 
more  excellent  name.     See  also  Phil.  2:  9-11. 

t).  5.     SeePs.  2:7ar)dII.  Sam.  7:14. 

V.  6.  The  time  referred  to  here  is  not  the  incarnation,  nor 
the  resurrection  of  Christ,  but  his  Second  Coming,  the 
visible  re-introduclion  of  the  Risen  One  who  is  now  hid 
in  God.  The  quotation  is  verbatim  from  the  Septuagint 
version  of  Deut.  32:  43.     Cf.  Ps.  97:  7. 

».  7.    See  Ps.  104:4. 

w.  8,  9.     See  Ps.  45:6,  7. 

vv.  10-12.    See  Ps.  102:  25-27. 

V.  13.     See  Ps.  110:  1. 

3.  2: 1-4.  Wherefore  we  ought  to  give  the  more  earnest  heed  to 
Ms  message. 

vv.  3,  4.  These  verses  have  a  special  significance,  if  this 
letter  was  written  to  the  mother-Church  at  Jerusalem. 

4.  2:  5-18.  The  Incarnate  Son  of  Ood  for  a  little  while  was 
made  lower  than  the  angels,  that  through  death  he  might  make 
propitiation  for  our  sins. 

V.  5.    This   "world  to  come"   is  the   Kingdom  of  Christ, 

which  according  to  its  hidden  principle  and  spirit  is  already 

present;  according  to  its   glorified  manifestation   is  yet 

future. 
«».  6-8.    See  Ps.  8:4-6. 
vv.  9,  10.     In  his  state  of  humiliation,  Jesus  was  a  little  lower 

than  the  angels. 
A  distinction  is  here  drawn  between  the  state  of  7iumilia- 

tion  and  the  state  of  exaltation. 
Paul  here  states  the  reasons  and  the  results  of  Christ's 

death. 
V.  12.     See  Ps.  22:  22. 
V.  13.     See  Ps.  18:  2;  Isa.  8:  18. 
V.  14.     The  Son  of  God  became   incarnate  that  he   might 

work  out  our  redemption.     See  "Studies  in  the  Book," 

First  Series,  page  97. 
V.  16.    The  Revised  Version  brings  out  the  exact  meaning 


63  Studies  in  the  Book. 

of  this  passai^e.  The  objects  of  the  work  of  redemption 
are  not  angels  but  men.  Christ  became  man  in  order  to 
die  for  man. 
V.  17.  Having  become  man  in  order  to  redeem  us,  Christ 
was  bound  in  dut}''  to  become  lil^e  us  "in  all  things,"  yet 
"without  sin,"  4:  15.  "He  had  to  walk  the  path  of  human 
suffering  down  to  its  deepest  turning  point,  in  order  to 
acquire  the  requisite  qualifications  for  the  exercise  of  high 
priestly  functions  extending  thenceforth  from  heaven  to 
earth."    (DelitzscTi.) 

On  the  words  "to  make  propitiation  f(.r  the  sins  of  the 
people,"  we  may  remark  (after  Delitzsch): 
(1)  There  are  those  who  oppose  the  Scripture  doctrine, — 
that  Christ  made  atonement  for  the  sins  of  men  by  his 
vicarious  death,  thus  making  expiation  for  sin  and  pro- 
pitiating the  justice  of  God, — on  the  ground  that  it  is 
nowhere  said,  in  exact  words,  that  God  is  propitiated,  or 
that  any  one  2)i'opitiated  him. 
(3)  They  lay  great  stress  on  the  fact  that  the  New  Testa- 
ment confines  itself  to  saying  that  our  high  priest 
"makes  propitiation  for  the  sins  of  the  people"  (Heb. 
3:  17),  that  God  set  forth  Christ  Jesus  "to  be  a  propitia- 
tion" for  us  (Rom.  3:  25),  that  God  sent  "his  son  to  be 
the  propitiation  for  our  sins"  (I.  John  4:  10);  that  it 
speaks  of  God  "reconciling  us  to  himself  through 
Christ,"  "of  reconciling  the  world  unto  himself"  (II. 
Cor.  4: 18,  19),  "of  reconciling  all  things  unto  himself" 
through  Christ  (Col.  1:  20);  and  that  while  it  speaks  of 
us  as  reconciled  ones,  it  never  speaks  of  God  as  the 
Reconciled  One. 
(8)  But  these  same  persons  seem  to  overlook,  on  the  other 
hand,  that  Scripture  says  that  we  are  "by  nature  chil- 
dren of  wrath"  (Eph.  3:  3),  that  only  when  we  believe 
on  the  Son  of  God  do  we  cease  to  be  objects  of  divine 
wrath  (John  3:  36),  that  it  is  the  blood  of  Christ  whereby 
we  are  saved  from  the  wrath  to  come  (Rom.  5:9;  of. 
I.  Thess.  1: 10),  that  Christ  "gave  himself  up  for  us,  an 
offering  and  a  sacrifice  to  God  for  an  odor  of  a  sweet 
smell"  (Eph.  5:3);  that  he  bought  us  with  a  price  (I.  Cor. 
6:  30),  that  he  became  a  curse  for  us  (Gal.  3: 13),  that 
through  his  own  blood  he  obtained  eternal  redemption 


Thk  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews.  *  63 

(Heb.  9: 13),  that  through  the  eternal  Spirit  he  oiiered 
himself  without  blemish  unto  God  (Heb.  9:  14),  that  he 
gave  himself  a  ransom  for  all  (I.  Tim.  2:  6). 

(4)  They  overlook  the  fact  that  Christ's  self-offering  was 
really  an  act  which  has  rescued  us  from  deserved  wrath, 
and  won  for  us  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  through  faith  in 
Christ;  they  seem  to  ignore  altogether  the  fact  that  the 
saving  work  ©f  Christ  has  for  its  object,  not  merely  a 
changing  of  man's  relation  to  God,  but  also  of  God's  to 
man;  not  merely  expiation  or  atonement  of  sin,  but 
also  of  God's  wrath  against  sinful  man, — for  by  his 
death  Christ  satisfies  the  justice  of  God,  so  that  in  his 
love  he  can  forgive  the  sins  of  those  who  appropriate 
the  merits  of  Christ,  and  still  be  holy. 

(5)  The  reason  the  New  Testament  nowhere  in  exact  words 
says  that  the  eelf-sacrifice  of  Christ  has  appeased  the 
wrath  of  God;  is  that  man  may  not  think  that  it  is  an 
act  which  precedes  God's  gracious  will,  and  by  which 
grace  instead  of  wrath  is,  without  his  co-operation, 
wrested,  or,  so  to  speak,  extorted  from  Him. 

(6)  The  New  Testament  seeks  to  guard  against  this  false 
view  of  the  work  of  the  atonement,  everywhere  reveal- 
ing to  us  the  grace  of  God  the  Father,  that  the  atone- 
ment was  prepared  for  us  by  the  prevenient  love  of  the 
Father  when  we  were  strangers  to  God,  that  the  Father 
hath  sent  his  Son  and  given  him  for  us,  that  it  was  the 
Holy  Ghost  by  whose  agency  he  was  incorporated  with 
the  human  race,  and  that  it  is  God's  counsel  of  love 
which  he  has  fulfilled. 

(7)  And  so  the  work  of  atonement,  when  regarded  in  its 
totality,  and  beginning,  middle,  and  end  are  taken  to- 
gether, is  but  the  self-reconciling  of  the  Godhead  with 
itself.  "God  was  in  Christ  reconciling  the  world  unto 
himself,"  n.  Cor.  5:19. 

3:  1-6.    Jesus  our  High  Priest  is  superior  to  Moses,  as  a  Son 
is  superior  to  a  servant,  however  faithful. 
V.  1.     Our  Lord  is  here  called  '"the  Apostle,"  and  nowhere 

else.    He  was  so  called  because  he  was  God's  messenger 

of  salvation,  John  17:  3,  18;  20:  21. 
Christ  unites  the  office  of  Moses  and  Aaron  in  his  own 

person.    He  is  both  prophet  and  High  Priest. 


64         ^  Studies  in  the  Book, 

"What  we  confess  is,  that  we  have  in  the  man  Jesua,  one 
sent  of  God,  to  bring  us  the  message  of  salvation,  and  a 
High  Priest  to  accomplish  it"  {Delitzsch). 
V.  3.  The  thought  is:  The  glory  conferred  on  Christ  sur- 
passes that  of  Moses  in  the  same  proportion  as  the  builder 
of  the  house  enjoys  greater  honor  than  the  house  itself.    • 

6.  3:  7—4:  13.  Let  ws  not  through  U7i faith  fulness  fail  of  the 
promise,  hut  let  us  give  diligence  to  enter  into  the  final  Best  of 
the  people  of  God. 

vv.l-n.     See  Ps.  95:7-11. 

V.  9.  Israel  was  forty  years  in  the  wilderness, — so  there 
were  forty  years  from  the  Resurrection  of  Christ  to  the 
destruction  of  Jerusalem. 

V.  11.  The  rest  here  referred  to  is  not  the  rest  of  the  Sab- 
bath, nor  the  rest  of  Canaan,  but  the  eternal  Rest  of 
Heaven. 

V.  4.     See  Gen.  2:  2. 

vv.  12,  13.  Does  Paul  here  refer  to  the  word  of  Scripture,  or 
to  the  Son,  the  personal  Word  of  God,  or  is  the  Word  of 
God  personified  and  endowed  with  all  the  attributes  of 
God  himself? 

The  reference  is  to  the  preached  and  written  word  of 
God,  but  this  does  not  exclude  the  idea  that  Paul  has  also 
in  mind  Christ,  the  everlasting  Word  of  God. 

7.  4:  14-16.  Having  then  a  merciful  High  Priest,  let  us  through 
7dm  draw  nigh  unto  God. 

All  the  chief  points  of  the  earlier  chapters  are  brought 
together  in  these  verses:— the  High  Priest  (2:  17;  3:  1),  his 
exaltation  (1:8,  4,  13;  2:  9);  his  divine  sonship  (1:  1-3,  5,  8; 
3:  6);  his  compassion  towards  the  brethren  whose  lot  he 
came  to  share  (2: 11-18).  <After  Moulton.) 
V.  14.    The  throne  of  God  is  the  final  goal  of  the  Lord's 

"passing  through  the  heavens." 
V.  15.  Temptation  not  only  produces  no  sin  in  our  Lord, 
but  it  also  found  in  him  no  sin.  "Christ  has  passed 
through  a  life  in  which  He  was  in  all  points  equally 
tempted  as  we  are,  provided  only  we  leave  out  of  account 
the  sin  through  which  our  temptations  find  in  us  an  innate 
proneness  to  be  led  astray."    (Delitzsch.) 

8.  5:1-10.  Christ  is  t7ie  true  High  Priest,  after  the  order  of 
Melchizedek. 


The  Epistlk  to  the  Hebrews.  65 

«.  1.     The  office  of  the  High -Priesthood  is  explained. 

m.  2-4.  Two  requisites  were  necesisary  for  the  office:  (1) 
Sympathy  with  man;  (2)  appointed  of  God. 

vv.  5-10.     Our  Lord  has  fulfilled  both  these  requirements. 

».  5.    See  Ps.  2:  7. 

V.  6.     Ps.  110:  4. 

vv.  7-10.  Paul  now  begins  to  unfold  the  way  of  human 
sorrow,  of  godly  fear,  of  sufliering,  and  of  submission  to 
the  divine  will,  by  which  Christ,  according  to  his  human 
nature,  attained  his  exaltation,  and  now  sits  enthroned  in 
heaven  as  High  Priest  forever,  after  the  order  of  Melchi- 
zedek. 

V.  9.  Salvation  has  been  obtained  by  Christ  for  all  men. 
It  is  an  objective  fact  and  is  in  readiness  for  all  who  will 
accept  it.  In  its  essence  it  is  an  eternal  salvation,  as  also 
a  complete  salvation,  "a  saving  to  the  uttermost,"  7:  25. 

9.  5:  11-14.     He  eomxjlains  of  the  low  estate  of  the  spiritual  at- 
tainments of  his  readers. 

From  5:  11 — 6:  20  we  have  a  long  practical  digression  in 
the  course  of  the  argument. 

10.  6:1-8.     And  warns  them  of  the  necessity  of  progress  and. 
•  the  peril  of  falling  back. 

vv.  4-6.  (1)  This  passage  was  from  early  times  the  main 
support  of  over  strict  demands  for  church  discipline. 

(2)  Calvinistic  theologians,  and  all  predestinarian  interpret- 
ers maintain  that  those  who  fall  away  have  never  been 
truly  regenerated  at  all. 

(3)  But  how  can  we  doubt  for  a  moment  that  it  is  the  truly 
regenerate  whom  the  Apostle  is  describing  in  verses  four 
and  five? 

(4)  "Is  it  not  clear  as  day,  that  what  he  means  to  say  is,  that 
the  further  one  has  penetrated  into  the  inner  sanctuary  of 
the  state  of  grace,  the  more  irrecoverably  is  he  lost  if  he 
then  fall  away?"    {Delitzsch.) 

(5)  By  "falling  away"  our  author  could  not  have  meant 
simply  a  "falling  from  grace,"  or  every  kind  of  fall  into 
mortal  sin.  Our  Epistle  then  would  "contradict  all  the 
Gospels  and  all  the  Epistles  of  St.  Paul." 

(6)  This  expression  of  "falling  away"  is  to  be  understood  in 
accordance  with  the  teaching  of  10:  26-31,  the  parallel 


>  Studies  in  the  Book. 

(7)  "To  fall  away,  like  the  wilfully  sinnimj  of  10:  26  is  in- 
tended to  denote  such  apostasy  as  not  only  withdraws  from 
the  ethical  influences  of  Christian  truth,  but  renounces  the 
truth  itself.  ...  It  was  over  this  abyss  that  the  Hebrew 
Christians  were  now  standing.  ,  .  They  might  reject  salva- 
tion in  Christ  with  such  utter  scorn  and  bitterness  as  to 
render  it  no  longer  a  salvation  for  them.  .  .  .  They  might 
"crucify"  again  "to  themselves  the  Son  of  God,"  repeat- 
ing what  their  fathers  had  done  formerly,  when  they  gave 
him  over  to  the  death  of  the  cross,  and  expose  him  again 
to  the  reproach  and  mockery  of  the  world"  {DelitzsrJi). 

(8)  The  sin  of  apostasy  here  described  and  also  at  10:  26  is 
substantially  the  same  as  the  sin  against  the  Holy  Ghost, 
"the  blasphemy  against  the  Holy  Ghost"  of  which  our 
Lord  himself  speaks  in  the  Gospels  (Mark  3:  29). 

11.  6:  9-20.     But  at  the  same  time  encourages^  them  by  God's 
faithfulness  in  keeping  his  promises. 

In  verses  13-20  Paul  proceeds  to  set  before  them  the  ex- 
ample of  Abraham,  in  respect  of  his  faith,  his  patience,  and 
his  reward. 

12.  7:  1-10.      The  glory  of  the  Priesthood  of  Melchizedek  (1-3); 
its  suiieriority  to  the  Levitical  py-iestJiood  (4-10). 

This  passage  is  a  commentary  on  the  narrative  in  Gen. 

14: 18-20. 

V.  3.  The  actual  historical  Melchizedek  lived  and  died,  but 
there  is  no  record  of  the  beginning  or  end  of  his  priest- 
hood,— as  in  the  case  of  the  Levitical  priesthood, — for  the 
priesthood  of  Melchizedek  is  continuous,  unbroken  by 
transmission  or  inheritance.  Birth  had  nothing  to  do  with 
his  priesthood,  death  is  not  alluded  to  as  depriving  him  of 
it;  he  passes  it  to  no  one  else;  the  Melchizedek  of  the 
Scripture  narrative  does  nothing  but  live. 

vv.  9,  10.  The  sacred  writer's  assertion  here  concerning 
Levi's  being  tithed  in  the  loins  of  Abraham,  has  an  im- 
portant bearing  on  the  doctrine  of  the  fall.  That  in 
Adam  we  have  all  sinned,  though  not  asserted  in  Rom.  5: 
12,  is  a  strictly  scriptural  proposition,  and  finds  irrefrag- 
able support  in  Heb,  7:  9,  10.  But  two  points  must  be 
borne  in  mind:  (1)  Adam  was  not  merely  the  natural  pro- 
genitor, but  at  the  same  time  the  ethical  inaugurator  of 
the  human  race;  (2)  the  deed  of  Adam  can  only  so  far  be 


The  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews.  67 

regarded  as  that  of  all  men,  as  humanity  was  potentially 
and  radically  contained  in  him.    (Delitzsch). 

13.  7:  11-25.  Jesus  is  the  true  High  Priest  after  the  order  of 
Melchizedek.  Not  of  the  race  of  Aaron  {\1-1^);  not  by  carnal 
descent  of  any  kind,  but  through  the  absolute  dignity  of  his 
own  person  {lh~\Q);  appointed  with  a  divine  oath  {2Q-22);  with 
an  unchangeable  priesthood,  ever  living  to  make  intercession 
for  us  (23-25). 

V.  25.  It  is  in  this  intercession  for  us  that  the  whole  life's 
activity  of  the  exalted  Jesus,  so  far  as  it  is  of  a  priestly 
nature,  is  comprised.  This  intercession  will  last  so  long 
as  the  final  redemption  of  God's  people — that  is,  the  utter 
effacement  of  sin,  and  death,  and  sorrow — remains  unac- 
complished. It  is  not  a  mere  silent  presentation  of  Him- 
self as  the  Redeemer  before  God,  but  an  eloquent  inter- 
eession  on  our  behalf  in  reference  to  each  individual 
among  his  redeemed,  and  every  single  case  of  need;  and 
finally,  its  fruit  is  a  perpetual  maintenance  of  our  relation  ,, 
of  grace  toward  God,  and  a  perpetually  renewed  removal 
of  every  hindrance  and  shadow  cast  by  sin.  See  also  Rom. 
8:  34.     (After  Delitzsch.) 

14.  7:26-28.  Christ  then  being  the  true  High  Priest,  He  is 
superior  to  the  Aaronic  priests  not  only  in  the  nature  of  Ids 
Priesthood,  btit  also  in  the  nature  of  Ms  ministration. 

These  verses  are  a  summary  of  the  argument  since  the  be- 
ginning of  the  fifth  chapter,  and  prepare  the  way  for  the 
subsequent  discussion. 

V.  26.  The  first  three  of  these  attributes  describe  our  Lord 
in  his  high  priestly  character,  as  the  antitype  of  Aaron, 
and  in  his  venerable,  gracious,  and  immaculate  humanity; 
the  two  last  express  the  super-celestial  exaltation  of  his 
royal  priesthood,  in  which  he  is  the  antitype  of  Melchiz- 
edek, and  has  not  only  all  enemies,  but  the  heavenly  world 
itself  beneath  his  feet.     {Delitzsch). 

V.  27.  Christ's  own  intrinsic  perfection  renders  any  repeti- 
tion of  his  atoning  acts  unnecessary.  Once  done,  they 
have  eternal  validity. 

Here  it  is  distinctly  stated  that  Christ  offered  up  himself 
as  a  sacrifice  for  our  sins. 

15.  8:1-6.  The  superioi'ity  of  the  ministration  of  the  High 
Priesthood  of  Christ  is  manifest  from  the  divine  and  heavenly 


68  Studies  in  the  Book. 

sphere  in  which  hotli  his  high-priestly  and  kingly  offices  are 

now  discharged. 

V.  1.  To  sit  at  God's  right  band  means  to  use  fuilyand  inces- 
santly the  regal  omnipotence  and  majesty  imparted  from 
the  Father  through  the  exaltation,  for  universal  and  most 
glorious  governing  in  the  kingdom  of  power,  grace,  and 
glory,  1:3;  2:7,  8. 

■B.  2.  This  heavenly  "sanctuary"  is  the  very  "Holy  of 
Holies,"  the  very  place  of  the  Divine  Presence  and  throne, 
God's  own  place,  the  uncreated  heaven  of  the  divine  glory, 
where  the  God  man  has  been  received  "  into  the  inner- 
most sphere  of  Godhead,  and  invested  there  with  divine 
glory  while  mediating  for  us."    (Uelitzsch). 

The  heavenly  "  tabernacle,"  "the  greater  and  more  per- 
fect tabernacle  "  (9:11),  is  that  glorious  heaven  wJiere  "God 
vouchsafes  to  exhibit  himself  to  angels  and  to  men,  in 
glorious  manifestations  of  his  divine  love,"  .  .  .  "into 
which  w^ourselves,  if  we  persevere  to  the  end,  shall  one 
day  be  gathered,  and  in  which  Christ  acts  as  Mediator  now, 
on  the  one  hand  manifesting  to  the  blessed  inhabitants  the 
self-revelations  of  divine  glory,  and  on  the  other  present- 
ing to  the  Father  their  sacrifice  of  adoration  and  praise." 
(Delitzsch). 

V.  5.    There  are  therefore  divine  realities  of  heavenly  things, 
'      not  merely  outward  and  material,  temporal  and  typical, 
like  the  tabernacle,  but  inward  and  spiritual,  antitypical, 
archetypical,  and  eternal. 

16.  8:7-13.     As  well  as  from  the  superiority  of  the  New  Cove- 
nant under  which  he  acts. 

V.  8.    This  long  quotation  is  taken  from  Jer.  31:  31-34. 

17.  9:1-12.     As  by  the  eternal  validity  of  the  New  Covenant, 
vv.  11,  13.     (1)  From  the  first  moment  of  incarnation  Christ 

was  our  High  Priest  by  vocation  and  potentially:  all  that 
followed,  till  he  passed  into  the  highest  heavens,  was  but 
progressive  development  of  that  original  calling. 

(2)  The  final  step  of  the  process  by  which  He  obtained 
these  good  things  as  to  have  them  now  in  hand  ready  to  be 
bestowed  on  us,  is  expressed  in  these  verses. 

(3)  The  "  holy  iplace  "  into  which  Christ  entered  is  the 
illocal  place  of  the  infinite,  self  contained,  self  centred 
Godhead,  the  eternal  Heaven  of  God  himself;  "the  greater 


TiiB  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews.  69 

and  more  perfect  Uhernacle'  through  which  he  enleied, 
is  the  heaven  of  the  blessed,  in  which  he  shines  upon  his 
%     creatures  in  the  light  of  love. 

(4)  Eternal  redemption  had  not  been  fully  obtained  be- 
fore our  Lord's  entrance  to  the  Father,  that  entrance  being 
itself  the  conclusion  of  the  great  redeeming  act.  As  the 
resurrection  from  the  dead  was  the  divine  seal  of  the  work 
of  atonement,  so  the  entrance  of  the  Risen  One  into  the 
Father's  presence  imparted  to  that  work  its  eternal  validity 
for  U9. 

(5)  The  ransom  paid  by  Christ  for  us  is  his  death  (Matt. 
10:28;  Ileb,  9:15;  Tit.  2:14;  I.  Tim.  2:5,6),  as  the  offering 
upof  himself  (Heb.  7:27;  9:14);  even  his  blood  (Eph.  1: 7; 
Col.  1 :  14),  as  the  giving  up  of  his  life  (Matt.  20: 28).  And 
since  it  is  by  means  of  "his  own  blood "  that  Christ  enters 
into  the  holy  of  holies,  it  is  clear  that  to  God  himself  the 
ransom  is  paid. 

(6)  As  in  the  earthly  sanctuary,  on  the  day  of  atonement, 
the  high  priest  entered  the  holy  of  holies,  and  offered  the 
blood  of  atonement  to  God,  and  to  Him  only,  so  our  great 
High  Priest  entered  the  eternal  sanctuary  and  appeared  in 
the  presence  of  God  for  us,  and  paid  our  redemption  price, 
even  "his  own  blood  "  to  God.  And  this  redemption  is  an 
eternal  one,  of  absolute  and  never-failing  validity.  (After 
DelitzscJi). 

18.  9: 13-28.  For  the  blood  of  Christ  purifies  inwardly  unto  the 
living  service  of  the  living  Qod  (13,  14) ;  His  redeeming  death  is 
the  consecration  of  a  new  covenant,  and  of  the  heavenly  sanc- 
tuary (15-23);  His  entrance  into  the  eternal  sanctuary  is  the 
seal  of  the  absolute  remission  of  sin,  after  which  only  remains 
his  ultimate  return  to  complete  the  realization  of  Eedemption 
(24-28). 

This  section  consists  of  three  paragraphs,  of  which  the  first 
{vv.  13,  14)  refers  to  "  through  his  own  blood"  of  verse  12; 
the  second  {vv.  15-23)  to  the  "high  priest  of  the  good 
things  to  come"  of  verse  11;  and  the  third  (w.  24-28)  to 
"entered  in  once  for  all  into  the  holy  place  "  of  verse  12. 
V.  24.  Chrisfs  activity  in  our  behalf  before  the  Father  con- 
sists in  a  perpetual  presentation  of  himself  as  of  one  who 
died  for  our  sins  and  is  risen  again  for  our  justification. 


70  Studies  in  the  Book. 

V.  27.    The  judgment  here  spoken  of  is  the  final  judgment 
of  the  last  day. 
19.     10:1-18.     Christ's  own  sacrifice  of  himself  is  the  complete 

and  only  adequate  fulfilment  of  the  icill  of  Qod  {1-10);  he  is 

henceforth  exalted  to  the  right  hand  of  Ood,  waiting  as  a  King 

for  the  final  subjugation  of  all  his  enemies  (11-14);  ?iis  atoning 

death  is  the  inauguration  of  that  new  Covenant,  in  winch  we 

have  the  assurance  of  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  and  there  is  no 

more  need  for  an  offering  for  sin  (15-18). 

vv.b-1.    See  Ps.  40:6-8. 

V.  10.  The  cross  is  the  altar  on  which  Christ  offered  himself 
for  us  as  "  an  offering  and  a  sacrifice  to  God  for  an  odour 
of  a  sweet  smell"  (Eph.  5:2).  His  blood-shedding  was 
our  propitiation,  our  sanctification  was  the  fruit  of  Christ's 
offering  his  body. 

V.  12.  Christ  is  henceforth  seated  at  the  right  hand  of  God, 
ruling,  not  ministering,  as  a  priest  before  him,  having 
accomplished  by  his  one  offering  all  that  the  priests  of  the 
law  were  unable  to  affect, — and  as  King  he  waits  on  his 
throne  for  the  ultimate  reward  of  his  priestly  ministry. 

V.  13.  See  Ps.  110:  1.  That  end  will  consist  in  his  Second 
Advent  (9:  26),  when  the  victory  accomplished  by  his  death 
and  resurrection  will  be  fully  realized  by  the  separation, 
binding  and  elimination  of  everything  in  the  universe  op- 
posed to  God,  in  the  order  described  by  Paul  himself  in 
I.  Cor.  15:24-28.     {Miex  DelitzscJi). 

V.  14.  The  being  sanctified  (in  which  is  here  included  both 
imputed  and  imparted  holiness,  justification  and  sanctifica- 
tion) is  the  subjective  process  by  which  the  perfected  work 
of  Christ  is  realized  in  believers. 

OT.  16,  17.     See  Jer.  31:33,  34. 

V.  18.     Nothing  remains,  objectively,  to  be  done  to  procure 
for  us  inward  perfecting,   and  a  complete  restoration  to 
communion  with  God. 
Here  ends  the  theological  portion  of  the  Epistle. 

The  great  theme  of  7:1—10:18(7:1-25;  7:26—9:12;  9:13— 
10:18)  is  "Christ,  after  the  order  of  Melchizedek,  High 
Priest  for  eternity." 

There  is  the  closest  connection  between  5:1-10  and  the  fcl 
lowing  treatise  (7: 1—10: 18),  for  the  whole  section  5: 11— 
6:  30  is  a  digression. 


The  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews.  71 

20.  10:19-39.  Exhortation  to  steadfastness  in  faith  and  good 
works. 

V.  30.     See  Deut.  32:35,  36;  Ps.  50:4;  135:14. 
OT.  37,  38.     See  Hab.  2:3,  4. 

21.  11 :  1^0.     Illustraiions  of  the  nature  a,nd  power  of  faith. 

22.  12: 1-17.  Renewed  exhortation  to  continued  perseverance 
and  patience;  with  renewed  warnings  against  Apostasy. 

23.  12: 18-29.  As  the  privileges  under  the  New  Testament  are 
higher  than  under  the  old,  so  the  punishment  of  Apostasy  is 
proportionately  greater. 

vv.  18,  19.  Here  are  enumerated  seven  circumstances  of  awe 
which  accompanied  the  giving  of  the  law,  all  of  them  ma- 
terial things. 

vv.  22,  23.  Here  follow  seven  particulars  of  encouragement 
accompanying  the  establishment  of  the  Christian  Cove- 
nant, all  of  them  glorious  spiritual  realities.  \ 

24.  13: 1-6.  Exhortation  to  brotherly  love,  purity,  and  content- 
ment. 

25.  13: 7-17.  Imitate  your  Christian  teachers.  Bear  the  re- 
proach of  Christ. 

26.  13:18-25.     Closing  jirayers  and  salutations. 
Twenty-ninth:  Give  an  oral  statement  of  the  contents  of  the 

Epistle,  chapter  by  chapter. 

Thirtieth:  To  the  student  of  the  English  text  we  would  recom- 
mend the  Commentaries  of  Moulton  (in  Handy  Commentary), 
Davidson,  Kay  (in  Speaker's  Commentary),  Delitzsch  (which 
is  written  however  for  students  of  the  Greek  text,  but  which 
is  so  valuable  that  no  one  can  master  this  Epistle  without  it), 
and  Farrar  (in  Cambridge  Bible). 

Thirty-first:  For  students  of  the  Greek  cext  we  would  recom- 
mend Alford,  Bengel,  Delitzsch,  Westcott,  and  Wordsworth. 


STUDY    IX. 

The  Teaching  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews. 

First-  The  Epistle  is  eminently  Christological.    It  unfolds  more- 
fully  than  any  other  book  the  three-fold  office  of  Christ,  as 
Prophet,  Priest,  and  King. 

Second-  It  is  more  than  an  ordinary  letter,  being  rather  a  ser- 
mon or  a  theological  discourse  on  the  great  theme  of  the  Eter- 
nal Priesthood  and  Sacrifice  of  Christ. 

Third-  Study  the  Epistle  as  a -whole,  section  by  section,  -with 
reference  to  its  Practical  truths. 

(1)  Duty  to  God. 

(2)  Duty  to  Man;  (a)  In  the  State;  (b)  In  the  Church;  (c)  In  the 
Family. 

(3)  Duty  to  Self.  1 

Fourth:  Study  the  Epistle  carefully,  and  write  out  concisely 
-what  the  -writer  teaches  concerning  the  Doctrine  of  God.* 

(1)  The  Doctrine  of  God  the  Father. 

(2)  The  Doctrine  of  the  Son  of  Gcd. 

(3)  The  Doctrine  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

(4)  The  Triune  God. 

(5)  Good  Angels.* 

Fifth:  Study  the  Epistle  carefully,  section  by  section,  and  note 
what  the  author  teaches  concerning  Christology,  or  the  Doc 
trine  of  the  Person  of  Christ.* 


1  As  to  method  of  developing  theee  topics,  see  example  given  in  Study 
II.,  on  Coloseians,  pp.  19,  20. 

2  As  an  illustration  iiow  to  find  the  material  see  Study  I^V.,  on  Ephesians, 
pp.  .33-35. 

*  3  For  the  New  Testament  doctrine  of  Evil  Angels  see  "Studies  in  the 
Book,"  First  Series,  p.  102.  For  the  N.  T.  Doctrine  concerning  the  Devil,  see 
the  same  work,  p.  103. 

4  Add  to  these  references,  and  compare  results  obtained  in  Study  II.,  on 
ColOBsians,  pp.  21,  23. 

72 


The  Teaching  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews.       73 

Jesus  is  the  God-Man. 

Truly  Divine.    Because  to  him  are  ascribed: 
(a)  Divine  Names. 
(l)TheSonof  God,  1:2,  5,  8;  4:14;  5:5;  6:6;  7:3;  10:29. 

(2)  The  Firstborn,  1:6. 

(3)  Lord,  2:3;  our  Lord,  7: 14;  13:21. 

(4)  The  author  of  eternal  salvation,  2: 10;  5:9. 

(5)  The  author  and  perfecter  of  our  faith,  12:2. 

(6)  The  great  shepherd  of  the  sheep,  13:20. 
(6)  Divine  Attributes: 

(1)  Is  the  effulgence  of  the  glory  of  God,  1:3. 

(2)  The  full  manifestation  of  the  attributes  of  God,  1:  3. 

(3)  The  very  image  of  the  essence  of  God,  1:3. 

(4)  Has  pre  existed  from  all  eternity,  1:2,  3. 

(5)  Is  righteous,  1:8,  9. 

(6)  Is  heir  of  all  things,  1:2;    sovereign  of  the  world  to 
come,  2:5. 

(7)  Is  glorious,  1:3. 

(8)  Omnipotent,  1:3,  13. 

(9)  Has  a  kingdom  and  house,  3:6. 

(10)  Is  unchangeable,  1: 12;  13: 8. 
(c)  Divine  Works. 

(1)  Through  the  Son,  God  made  the  worlds,  1:2,  10;  11:3. 

(2)  Upholds  all  things  by  the  word  of  his  power,  1:3,  12. 
(3)Rule3  0ver  all,  2:5-8. 

(4)  Made  purification  of  sins,  1:  3. 

(5)  Author  of  the  salvation  of  men,  2: 10;  5:9;  7:25. 

(6)  Sanctifies,  2:11;  9:13,  14;  13:12. 

(7)  Delivers  us  from  the  power  of  death,  2: 14,  15. 

(8)  Overcame  the  devil,   who  hath  the  power  of  death, 
2:14,15. 

(9)  Obtained  eternal  redemption,  9: 12. 
(fZ)  Divine  Worship: 

(1)  Worshiped  by  the  angels,  1:  6. 

(2)  Worshiped  and  adored  by  the  saints,  13:20,  21. 
Truly  Human.     Because  to  him  are  ascribed: 

(a)  Human  Names: 

(1)  Jesus,  2:9;  3:1;  4:14;  6:20;  10:19;  13:12. 

(2)  The  Apostle  of  God,  3: 1. 

(3)  High  Priest  of  our  Confession,  3:1;  4: 14. 

(4)  Christ,  3:14;  6: 1;  9: 11,  14,  24,  28. 


74  Studies  in  the  Book. 

(5)  Jesus  Christ,  10: 10;  13:8,  31. 
(b)  Human  Attributes: 
(1)  Suffers  death,  2:9,  14;  9:15,  16. 
(3)  Made  perfect  through  sufferings,  3:10;  5:9. 

(3)  Offered  up  prayers  and  supplications  with  strong  cry- 
ing and  tears,  5:7. 

(4)  Partook  of  flesh  and  blood,  2: 14;  5: 7;  10: 10. 

(5)  Made  like  unto  his  brethren  in  all  things,  2: 17. 

(6)  Suffered  being  tempted  (2: 18),  in  all  points  as  we  are, 
yet  without  sin,  4:15;  7:26,  28;  9:14. 

(7)  Touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities,  4: 15. 

(8)  But  having  no  infirmity,  7:26.  28. 

(9)  Of  the  tribe  of  Judah,  7: 14. 
The  State  of  Humiliation. 

(1)  As  man  Christ  was  made  lower  than  the  angels,  2:7,  9. 

(2)  By  the  suffering  of  death,  he  tasted  death  for  every 
man,  2:9. 

(3)  Entered  into  fellowship  with  us,  to  be  made  perfect 
through  sufferings,  2: 10. 

(4)  Calls  us  brethren,  2: 12. 

(5)  Made  like  us  in  all  things,  2:  17. 

(6)  Suffered  death  that  he  might  overcome  the  devil,  2: 14. 

(7)  And  deliver  us  from  bondage,  2:15. 

(8)  Suffered  through  temptation  that  he  might  succor  them 
that  are  tempted.  2: 18;  4: 15. 

(9)  Became  our  High  Priest,  2:17;  3:1;  4:14. 

(10)  Glorified  not  himself,  5:5 

(11)  Learned  obedience  by  the  things  which  he  suffered,  5:8. 

(12)  Offered  up  himself  for  the  sins  of  the  people,  7:27; 
8:3;  9:24-38;  through  tl d  Eternal  Spirit.  9:14; 

(13)  Endured  the  cross,  despising  shame,  12:2. 
The  Exaltation  of  Christ. 

(1)  Appointed  heir  of  all  things,  1:2. 

(2)  Exalted  on  the  right  hand  of  the  Majesty  on  high,  1:3; 
8:1;  10:12;  12:2. 

(3)  Superior  to  the  angels,  1 : 4. 

(4)  Anointed  above  his  fellows,  1:9. 

(5)  Crowned  with  glory  and  honor,  2:7,  9. 

(6)  Set  over  the  works  of  God,  2: 7. 

(7)  All  things  subjected  unto  him,  2:8. 

(8)  Counted  worthy  of  more  glory  than  Moses,  3:3. 


The  Teaching  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews.       75 

(9)  Passed  through  the  heavens,  4: 14;  the  greater  and  more 
perfect  tabernacle,  9:11. 

(10)  Made  higher  than  the  heavens,  7:26. 

(11)  Appointed  the  eternal  High  Priest,  5:6,  10;  6:20. 
(13)  Entered  within  the  veil  for  us,  6:20. 

Sixth:  Stud}^  the  Epistle  carefully  and  note  what  the  author 
leaches  concerning  Boteriology,  or  the  Doctrine  of  the  Work 
of  Christ. 
The  PropTietic  office  of  Christ. 

(1)  God  hath  spoken  unto  us  in  his  Son,  1:  2. 

(2)  Who  hath  revealed  the  word  of  salvation,  2:  2. 

(3)  He  was  a  faithful  Prophet.  3:  2. 

(4)  The  Apostle  of  God,  3:1. 

(5)  Greater  than  Moses,  3:  3. 

(6)  Ilis  word  more  steadfast  than  that  spoken  by  angels,  2:2. 
The  Sacerdotal  office  of  Christ,  or  the  Atoriement. 

(1)  He  made  purification  of  sing,  1 :  3,  by  his  death,  9:  15. 

(2)  Is  a  merciful  and  faithful  High  Priest,  2:  17;  3:  1,  2;  8:1; 
of  the  good  things  to  come,  9:  11;  a  great  priest  over  the 
house  of  God,  10:21. 

(3;  Made  propitiation  for  the  sins  of  the  people,  2: 17;  9:24-28. 

(4)  Appointed  of  God  a  high  priest,  after  the  order  of  Mel- 
chizedek,  5:  6,  10;  6:  20;  7:  15-17,  31,  26. 

(5)  With  the  taking  of  an  oath.  7:  20,  21. 

(6)  Not  after  the  law  of  a  carnal  commandment,  7:  16. 

(7)  But  after  the  power  of  an  endless  life,  7:  17. 

(8)  An  abiding  and  unchangeable  priesthood,  7:  24. 

(9)  Making  continual  intercession  for  those  who  draw  near 
unto  God  through  him,  7:  25;  9:  24. 

(10)  Offered  up  himself  for  the  sin-s  of  the  people,  7:  27;  8:  3; 
through  the  eternal  Spirit,  9:  14;  once,  not  f)ften,  9:  25,  28. 

(11)  Not  daily  like  an  earthly  high  priest,  but  once  for  all, 
7:27. 

(12)  Entered  within  the  veil  for  us,  6:  20;  into  heaven  itself, 
9:  24;  to  appear  before  the  face  of  God  for  us,  9:  21. 

(13)  A  minister  of  the  sanctuary,  and  of  the  true  tabernacle, 
8:  2. 

(14)  A  mediator  of  a  better  covenant  than  Moses,  8:6;  even  a 
new  covenant,  9:  15;  12:  24. 

(15)  Through  his  own  blood,  he  entered  in  once  for  all  into 
the  holy  place,  9: 12. 


76  Studies  in  the  Book. 

(16)  The  blood  of  Christ  cleanses  the  conscience  and  sancti- 
fies, 9:  14. 

Q7)  By  one  offering  hath  completed  redemption,  9:  28; 
10:  14. 

(18)  The  blood  of  Jesus  has  dedicated  a  new  and  living  way 
by  which  to  enter  heaven,  10:  19,  20. 

(19)  That  he  might  sanctify  the  people  through  his  own 
blood,  he  suffered  without  the  gate,  13:  12. 

His  Regal  office. 

(1)  Upholds  all  things  by  the  word  of  his  power,  1:  3. 

(2)  Reigns  with  omnipotent  power,  1:3,  13;  9:  12,  13. 

(3)  Over  all  the  works  of  God,  2:  7. 

(4)  On  his  eternal  throne,  1:  8. 

(5)  Till  all  his  enemies  are  overcome,  1:  13;  2:  8;  10:  13. 
Seventh:  The  following  hints  in  tracing  the  development  of  the 

doctrine  of  Christ's   High-priesthood,   which  is'  the    ruling 
thought  of  this  Epistle,  are  suggested  by  Westcott. 
The  theme  is  already  indicated  in  1 :  3. 

The  crowning  trait  of  the  Son  is  that  "when  he  had  made 
purification  of  sins.  He  sat  down  on  the  right  hand  of  the 
Majesty  on  high,"  1:  3. 

The  priestly  and  regal  works  of  Christ  are  placed  together  in 
the  closest  connexion. 

The  remaining  passages  prepare  for,  expound,  and  apply  the 
doctrine. 

(1)  Preparatory. 

(a)  2:  17,  18.  The  incarnation  the  foundation  of  Christ's 
High-priesthood. 

(6)  3:  1,  2.  The  subject  is  of  such  importance  as  to  require 
careful  consideration. 

(c)  4:  14-16.  Recapitulation  as  a  transition  to  the  detailed 
treatment  of  the  truth. 

(2)  The  CJiaracterisiics  of  C7irist's  Iligh-priestkood. 

(a)  5:  1-10.  The  characteristics  of  the  Levitical  High-priest- 
hood realized  by  Christ. 

(b)  6:  20;  7:  14-19.  The  priesthood  of  Christ  after  the  order 
of  Melchizedek. 

(3)  The  work  of  Christ  as  nigh-priest. 

{a)  8:  1-6.  The  scene  of  Christ's  work  a  heavenly  and  not 
an  earthly  sanctuarj'. 


The  Teaching  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews.      77 

(6)9:11-28.     Christ's  atoning  work  contrasted  with  that  of 

the  Levitical  High  priest  on  the  Day  of  Atonement, 
(c)  10:  1-18.     An  abiding  efficacy  of  Christ's  One  Sacrifice. 
(4)  Apj)Ucation  of  the  fruits  of  Christ's  High-priestJiood  to  be- 
lievers. 

(a)  10:  19-25.     Personal  use. 

(6)  13: 10-16.     Privileges  and  duties  of  the  Christian  Church. 
Eighth:  We  also  add  the  substance  of  a  note  by  Westcott  on 
"The  Christology  of  the  Epistle." 

(1)  The  view  of  the  Person  and  Work  of  Christ  which  is  given 
in  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews  is  in  many  respects  more 
comprehensive  and  far  reaching  than  that  which  is  given  in 
any  other  Book  of  the  New  Testament. 

(2)  The  author  of  the  Epistle  recognizes  one  unchanged  Per- 
sonality in  the  Incarnate  Christ  through  whom  finite  things 
wire  called  into  existence  and  under  whom  all  things  shall 
be  finally  subjected. 

(3)  Prom  first  to  last,  through  time  to  that  eternity  beyond 
time  which  we  have  no  powers  to  realize.  One  Person  ful- 
fils the  will  of  God,  1:  2;  10:  5-9. 

(4)  One  Person  is  the  agent  in  creation,  the  medium  of  revela- 
tion, the  heir  of  the  world. 

I.      The  Divine  Being  {Nature  and  Personality)  of  the  Son. 
(1)  la  relation  to  God. 
{a)  The  titles  "Son"  (1:2,  5;  3:  6;  5:  8),    "the  Son"  (1:8), 
"the  Son  of  God"  6:  6;   7:  3;   10:  29),   "the  Firstborn" 
(1:  6),  "Jesus,  the  Son  of  God"  (4:  14). 
Note:  (1)  The  title  "Son"  is  used  in  the  Epistle  only  in 
reference  to  the  Incarnate  Lord. 

(2)  The  title  expresses  not  merely  a  mere  relation,  but 
a  relation  of  being. 

(3)  It  defines  in  human  language  that  which  "was"  be- 
yond time  imminent  in  the  Godhead. 

(4)  It  is  remarkable  that  God  is  spoken  of  as  "Father" 
only  in  1 :  5. 

(6)  The  definite  description  of  the  nature  and  work  of 
the  Son  is  given  in  1:  3. 

Note:  (1)  The  use  of  the  absolute,  timeless,  term  "be- 
ing" guards  against  the  thought  that  the  Lord's 
"Sonship"  was  by  adoption  and  not  by  nature. 
(2)  In  Christ  the  essence  of  God  is  made  distinct. 


78  Studies  in  the  Book. 

(3)  In  Christ  the  revelation  of  God's  character  is  seea. 
Cf.  John  5:  19,  30;  14:9. 
(2)  In  relation  to  the  World. 

In  relation  to  the  the  World  the  Son  is  presented  to  us 
as  (a)  the  Creator,   {b)  the  Preserver,  and  (c)  the  Heir  of 
all  things.     From  the  divine  side  indeed  these  three  offices 
are  one. 
(a)  The  Creative  vpork  of  the  Son  is  affirmed  both  in  the 
writer's  own  words  (1:  3),  and  by  an  application  of  the 
language  of  the  Psalms  (1 :  10). 
(6)  The  thought  of  creation  passes  into  that  of  the  pre- 
servation,    government,     consummation    of    created 
things. 

(1)  The  Son  bears  all  things  to  their  true  end,  1:3;  11:3. 

(2)  He  is  over  the  whole  house  of  God  in  virtue  of 
what  he  is  (a  Son,  3:6)  and  what  he  has  done  (a 
high-priest,  10:21). 

(3)  This  work  was  in  no  way  interrupted  by  the  In- 
carnation. 

(4)  St.  Paul  also  combines  the  creative  and  sustaining 
power  of  Christ,  Col.  1:  16,  17. 

(c)  The  idea  of  the  "heirship"  of  Chjist  is  connected  with 
the  work  of  creation,  1:  2.     The  fact  that  he  created 
suggests  the  fitness  that  He  should  inherit.     Cf.  Col. 
1:16. 
II.     The  work  of  the  Incarnate  Christ. 
The  work  of  the  Incarnate  Christ  is  presented  under  the 
aspect  (1)  of  his  earthly  life,  and  (2)  of  his  work  in  his 
glorified  humanity  in  heaven. 
1.     The  Incarnation: 
(a)  Christ's  human  nature. 

(1)  The  Lord's  humanity  is  declared  to  be  real  (2: 14,  10; 
7:14),  perfect  (2:17,  and  representative  (2:9). 

(2)  At  the  same  time,  the  Divine  Personality  was  un- 
changed by  the  assumption  of  humanity. 

(3)  The  use  of  the  human  name  Jesus  guards  the  ful- 
ness of  his  humanity. 
(6)  Christ's  human  life. 
(1)  The  perfect  human  nature  of  Christ  found  expres- 
sion in  a  perfect  human  life. 


The  Teaching  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews.      79 

(2)  He  bore  without  the  least  failure  or  sin  every  temp- 
tation to  which  we  are  exposed,  4:15;  5:7-10;  7:26. 

(3)  The  writer  recognizes  in  Christ  separate  human 
virtues:  trust  in  God  (2:13);  faithfulness  (3:17;  3:3); 
dependence  of  God  (5:7,  8);  mercy  and  sympathy 
(2:17;  4:  15);  faith  (12:2). 

(4)  Christ  did  not  however  cease  at  any  time  to  be  the 
Son  of  God  (9: 14). 

(5)  He  exercises  his  priesthood  in  virtue  of  "the  power 
of  an  indissoluble  life  "  (7: 16). 

(6)  There  is  thus  a  most  intimate  union  of  two  Natures 
in  the  one  Person  of  Christ,  whose  Personality  is 
Divine. 

(7)  In  virtue  of  his  humanity  the  Lord  was  able  to 
fulfill  his  twofold  office  for  men,  as  "Apostle" 
(Prophet)  and  "High  Priest"  (3:1),  declaring  the 
will  of  God  and  working  out  redemption  for  man. 

2.     The  Exaltation: 

1.  The  exaltation  of  Christ  is  placed  in  this  Epistle,  as 
by  Paul  (Phil.  3:9-11),  in  close  connection  with  his 
sufferings  (3:9;  12:3). 

3.  While  Paul  dwells  on  the  Resurrection  in  each 
group  of  his  Epistles,  the  writer  of  the  Epistle  to  the 
Hebrews  refers  to  it  once  only  (13:30;  cf.  5:  7),  fixing 
his  attention  on  the  Ascension  (4: 14;  6: 20;  7: 36;  9: 11, 
13,  24),  and  the  sitting  at  the  right  hand  of  God  (1:3; 
8:1;  10:13;  12:3). 

3.  This  difference  follows  from  the  unique  teaching  of 
the  Epistle  on  the  work  of  Christ  as  King  and  Priest. 

4.  Prom  what  has  been  said  it  will  be  seen  that  !here  is 
a  very  close  connection  between  the  Christology  of  the 
writer  to  the  Hebrews  and  the  Christology  of  St.  Paul. 

5.  But  though  there  is  a  remarkable  agreement  in  idea 
between  the  teaching  of  the  Epistle  on  the  Person  of 
Christ  and  that  of  St.  Paul's  later  Epistles  (Col.  1: 15- 
30;  Eph.  1:3-14;  Phil.  3:5-11),  even  where  the  thoughts 
approach  most  clearly  to  coincidence,  there  still  re 
main  significant  differences  of  phraseology.  Compare 
Heb.  1:3,  3  with  Col.  1:15-17;  1:6  with  Col.  1:15,  18; 
3:17  with  Phil.  2:7. 

Ninth:  (1)  Of  the  twenty-nine  direct  quotations  from  the  Old 


80  Studies  in  the  Book. 

Testament,  twelve  are  taken  from  the  Pentateuch,  eleven 
from  the  Psalms,  and  one  each  from  II.  Sam.,  Isaiah,  Jere- 
miah, Habakkuk,  and  Haggai. 

(2)  With  two  exceptions  (II.  Sam.  7: 14;  Isa.  8: 17,  18)  all  the 
primary  passages  which  are  quoted  to  illustrate  the  true 
nature  of  the  Person  and  Work  of  Christ  are  taken  from  the 
Psalms. 

(3)  Of  the  twenty -nine  passages  which  are  reckoned  as  direct 
quotations,  twenty- one  are  peculiar  to  the  writer  of  the 
Epistle. 

(4)  The  text  of  the  quotations  agrees  in  the  main  with  some 
form  of  the  present  text  of  the  Septuagint. 

(5)  The  writer  regarded  the  Greek  Version  as  authoritative; 
and  he  nowhere  shows  any  immediate  knowledge  of  the 
Hebrew  text.     (After  Westcott). 

Tenth:  Make  a  special  study  of  the  following  topics,  or  phrases 
taken  in  the  order  of  their  occurrence  in  the  Epistle: 

By  divers  portions  (1: 1),  in  divers  manners  (1: 1),  the  end  of 
these  days  (1:2),  the  angels  (1:4),  so  great  salvation  (2:3),  the 
grace  of  God  j;2:9),  the  devil  (2:14),  our  hope  (3:6),  an  evil 
heart  of  unbelief  (3: 12),  the  living  God  (3:  12),  the  deceitfulness 
of  sin  (3: 13),  a  Sabbath  rest  (4:  9),  the  word  of  God  (4: 12),  our 
confession  (4: 14),  eternal  salvation  (5:9),  the  order  of  Melchiz- 
edek  (5:10),  the  first  principles  of  Christ  (6: 1),  perfection  (6:1), 
repentance  (6:1),  faith  (6:1),  teaching  of  baptisms  (6:2),  laying 
on  of  hands  (6:2),  the  resurrection  of  the  dead  (6:2),  eternal 
judgment  (6:2),  the  fulness  of  hope  (6:11),  a  better  covenant 
(7: 22),  Christ's  intercession  (7: 25;  the  true  tabernacle  (8:2),  the 
earthly  tabernacle  (8:5),  the  mercy  seat  (9:5),  the  good  things 
to  come  (9: 11),  the  blood  of  Christ  (9:14),  the  eternal  inherit- 
ance (9: 15),  forgiveness  of  sins  (10:17,  18),  an  evil  conscience 
(10:22),  to  tread  under  foot  the  Son  of  God  (10:29),  perdition 
(10:39),  the  soul  (10:39\  creation  (11:3),  the  translation  of 
Enoch  (11:5),  the  deluge  (11:7)  the  faith  of  Abraham  (11:8-12). 
the  heavenly  city  (11:  Ifi),  Moses  (11:  24),  Gideon  (11:  32),  Sam- 
son (11:32),  Jephthah  (11:32),  Samuel  (11:32)  a  cloud  of  wit- 
nesses (12:1),  the  cross  (12:2),  the  right  hand  of  the  throne  of 
God  (12:2),  the  Father  of  spirits  (12:9),  sanctification  (12: 14), 
Esau  (12: 16),  the  heavtnly  Jerusalem  (12:22),  the  innumerable 
hosts  of  angels  (12:22),  the  Church  of  the  firstborn  (12:23),  the 


TUE   TEACniNO  OP   THE    EriSTLE   TO   THE   HEBREWS.         81 

spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect  (13:23),  the  Kingdom  that  can- 
not be  shaken  (13:28),  God  is  a  consuming  fire  (13:29),  strange 
teachings  (13:  9),  the  great  shepherd  of  the  sheep  (13:20),  the 
eternal  covenant  (13:  20). 
Eleventh:  Make  a  special  study  of  the  marginal  readings  of  the 
Revised  Version,  and  note  the  most  important  changes  in 
meaning. 


STUDY    X. 

The  First  Epistle  to  Timothy. 

First:  The  Epistles  to  Timothy  aad  Titus  are  known  as  "The 
Pastoral  Epistles,"  because  they  were  addressed  to  two 
friends  of  Paul,  in  their  capacity  as  Pastors  of  important 
Churches. 

Second:  There  was  never  any  doubt  entertained  in  the  Early 
Church  that  these  Epistles  were  written  by  St.  Paul. 

Third:  Modern  scepticism  has  urged  three  objections  to  their 
Pauline  authorship. 

(1)  The  difficulty  of  finding  any  place  for  these  letters  in  the 
known  life  of  Paul  as  recorded  iu  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles. 

(2)  The  fact  that  they  seem  to  imply  an  advanced  state  of 
Church  organization,  both  orthodox  (I.  Tim.  3:  1,  2;  5:  1,  2; 
Tit.  1:  5,  6;  2: 1)  and  heretical  (I.  Tim.  1:4;  4:  1;  6:  3;  Tit. 
1:  10,  11;  2:  1;  II.  Tim.  2:  16,  17;  3:  6),  far  in  advance  of  the 
Pauline  Age. 

(3)  The  language  of  the  epistles  is  different  from  that  of  the 
other  Epistles  of  Paul. 

Fourth:  All  are  agreed  that  these  three  Epistles  are  closely 
connected  in  thought,  subjects,  expressions,  and  style,  and 
that  they  must  have  been  written  at  about  the  same  time,  at 
least  within  a  few  years  of  each  other. 

Fifth:  The  difiiculties  raised  against  Paul's  authorship  have 
been  greatly  exaggerated  by  modern  critics,  and  the  only  one 
of  any  real  importance,  the  peculiarities  of  phrases  and  ex- 
pressions (that  in  I.  Tim.  there  are  74  Greek  words,  in  Titus 
28,  and  in  II.  Tim.  46,  that  do  not  occur  elsewhere  in  the  New 
Testament)  "may  be  so  completely  removed  by  a  just  consid- 
eration of  the  date  of  the  Epistles,  the  peculiar  nature  of  the 
subjects  discussed,  and  the  plain,  substantial  accordance  in 
all  main  points  with  the  Apostle's  general  style,  that  no  doubt 
of  the  authorship  ought  now  to  be  entertained  by  any  calm 
and  reasonable  enquirer"  (EUicott). 

82 


( 
The  First  Epistle  to  Timothy.  83 

Sixth:  Read  carefully  Paul's  first  letter  to  Timothy,  and  note 
all  the  data  bearing  on  the  time  when  it  was  written. 
(1)  St.  Paul  had  shortly  before  been  in  Ephesus,  1:3. 
(3)  Had  been  compelled  to  go  to  Macedonia,  1:3. 

(3)  But  had  requested  Timothy  to  tarry  at  Ephesus,  1:3. 

(4)  Hopes  to  come  to  Ephesus  shortly,  3:14. 

(5)  But  may  tarry  long,  3: 14. 

(6)  Therefore  writes  to  Timothy  to  give  him  more  definite  in- 
structions, 1:3-5;  4:13. 

(7)  We  cannot  place  this  journey  in  any  period  before  Paul's 
first  imprisonment  at  Rome,  or  at  any  time  of  Paul's  life  as 
recorded  by  Luke  in  the  Acts. 

(a)  It  is  not  the  journey  recorded  in  Acts  20:  1,  3. 

(b)  For  then  Timothy  had  already  been  sent  into  Macedonia 
(Acts  19: 22),  and  thence  to  Corinth  (I.  Cor.  4: 17),  and  when 
Paul  wrote  his  second  letter  to  the  Corinthians,  Timothy 
was  with  him  in  Macedonia,  II.  Cor.  1:1;  7:  5. 

(«)  Some  have  thought  that  this  journey  took  place  during 
Paul's  three  years'  sojourn  at  Ephesus,  Acts  19:  8,  10;  30:31. 

(d)  But  this  is  utterly  out  of  the  question,  for  an  absence  of 
uncertain  length,  such  as  our  Epistle  presupposes,  is  abso- 
lutely precluded  by  Acts  20:31;  and  Acts  20:29,  30  is 
simply  a  prophecy  of  what  has  come  to  pass  at  the  time 
of  writing  this  Epistle.  Furthermore  the  instructions 
given  to  Timothy  in  this  Epistle  seem  to  imply  his  con- 
tinued  residence  at  Ephesus. 

(e)  We  must  therefore  give  our  assent  to  the  tradition  of  the 
Early  Church  that  St.  Paul  was  twice  imprisoned  at  Rome, 
and  that  this  letter  was  written  some  time  after  his  first 
imprisonment,  while  he  was  passing  through  Macedonia 
(1:3),  after  a  visit  to  Ephesus  (1:3),  where  he  had  left 
Timothy  in  charge  of  the  local  church. 

Seventh:  Read  carefully  Paul's  Epistle  to  Titus,  and  note  all 

the  data  bearing  on  the  time  when  it  was  written. 

(1)  Paul  apparently  only  a  short  time  before  had  paid  a  mis- 
sionary visit  to  the  island  of  Crete,  where  he  had  left  Titus 
in  charge  of  the  churches,  1:5. 

(3)  At  the  time  of  writing  Paul  was  on  his  way  to  Nicopolis  to 
winter,  3: 12. 

(3)  And  he  urges  Titus  to  meet  him  there,  3: 12. 


84  Studies  in  the  Book. 

(4)  It  is  probable  that  the  Apostle  was  arrested  at  Nicopolis 
(in  Epirus)  and  taken  thence  to  Rome  for  his  final  trial. 

(5)  It  is  also  highly  probable  that  the  winter  alluded  to  in  this 
Epistle  (3:12)  is  not  the  same  as  that  referred  to  in  II.  Tim. 
4:21,  but  belongs  to  the  year  before  it. 

(6)  As  to  the  place  where  the  letter  to  Titus  was  written,  this  is 
a  matter  of  mere  conjecture,  possibly  at  Corinth,  or  Ephesus. 

Eighth:  Read  carefully  Paul's  second  letter  to  Timothy,  and 
note  all  the  data  bearing  on  the  time  when  it  was  written. 

(I)  Paul  had  recently  been  at  Troas,  Corinth,  and  Miletus, 
4:13-20. 

(3)  He  was  now  in  Rome,  1: 17. 

(3)  He  had  already  had  his  first  trial,  4: 16. 

(4)  Was  still  a  prisoner  in  chains,  1:8,  16;  2:9. 

(5)  Enduring  sufferings,  1:12. 

(6)  Expected  shortly  to  die  a  martyr's  death,  4:6. 

(7)  All  that  are  in  Asia  had  turned  away  from  him,  1: 15. 

(8)  Luke  only  was  with  him,  4: 11. 

(9)  Onesiphorus  had  ministered  to  him,  at  the  time  he  was  in 
Rome,  visiting  him  in  prison,  1;  16,  17. 

(10)  He  urges  Timothy  to  come  to  him  shortly,  before  winter, 
and  bring  with  him  the  cloak  and  the  books,  especially  the 
parchments,  which  he  had  left  at  Troas  with  Carpus,  4:9, 
21,  13,  14. 

(II)  We  have,  therefore,  a  right  to  infer  that  Paul  wrote  this 
Second  Epistle  to  Timothy  during  his  second  imprisonment 
at  Rome,  a  very  short  time  before  his  martyrdom,  after  his 
first  trial,  and  that  it  was  the  last  extant  letter  written  by  him. 

Ninth:  We  therefore  conclude,  that  Paul  was  released  from  his 
first  captivity  at  Rome,  about  64  A.  D.,  that  he  wrote  I.  Tim. 
a  few  years  later,  about  66  or  67  A.  D.,  and  then  his  Epistle  to 
Titus,  and  finally,  while  languishing  in  prison  at  Rome,  about 
67  or  68  A.  D.,  wrote  II.  Timothy. 

Tenth:  Read  carefully  Paul's  ^r*;;  Epistle  to  Timothy  and  note 
all  the  data  bearing  upon  Timothy's  life  and  character. 

(1)  He  had  been  converted  by  the  preaching  of  Paul,  1:  1. 

(2)  Received  spiritual  gifts  at  his  ordination,  4:  14. 

(3)  Was  now  at  Ephesus,  1:  3. 

(4)  Is  still  a  young  man  (about  35),  4: 12. 

(5)  Personal  traits: 

(a)  Of  a  weak  constitution,  5:  23. 


The  First  Epistle  to  Timothy.  85 

(5)  With  a  tendency  to  asceticism,  5:  28. 

(c)  Modest  and  retiring,  4:  12-lG;  5:  20,  31. 

(d)  Shrinking  from  responsibility,  6:  11-14. 

(6)  Has  special  charges  committed  to  him,  1:  3,  18;  3:  15;  4:  7; 
5:21. 

(7)  Is  to  remind  the  brethren  of  what  Paul  writes,  4:  6. 

(8)  Is  to  be  an  ensample  to  believers,  4:  12;  6:  11,  14. 

(9)  Is  to  be  diligent,  4:  15,  16. 

(10)  And  to  reprove  those  who  sin  in  the  sight  of  all,  5:  20. 
Eleventh:  Examine  carefully  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles  and  II. 

Timothy  for  additional  information  concerning  Timothy. 

(I)  His  father  a  Gentile,  Acts  16:  1-3. 

'2)  Taught  in  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  Testament  from  a 
babe,  II.  Tim.  3:  15. 

(3)  Brought  up  possibly  at  Derbe,  or  Lystra,  Acts  16:  1;  20:  4. 

(4)  By  his  grandmother,  and  his  mother  Eunice,  II.  Tim.  1:  5. 

(5)  Heard  the  gospel  during  Paul's  first  missionary  journey, 
Acts  14:  6,  7. 

(6)  And  received  it  with  unfeigned  faith,  II.  Tim.  1:  5,  6. 

(7)  Saw  Paul's  stoning  at  Lystra,  Acts  14:  19;  II.  Tim.  3: 11. 

(8)  Was  under  the  superintendence  of  the  Elders,  Acts  14:  23. 

(9)  Grew  up  unto  manhood  during  the  period  46  to  51  A.  D., 
Acts  16: 1-3. 

(10)  Well  known  at  Lystra  and  Iconium,  at  the  arrival  of  Paul 
on  his  second  missionary  tour,  Acts  16:  3. 

(II)  Circumcised  by  Paul,  Acts  16:  3. 

(12)  Ordained  by  the  whole  presbytery,  I.  Tim.  4. 14;  II.  Tim. 
1:6. 

(13)  One  of  the  most  faithful  and  constant  companions  of 
Paul,  Acts  16:  3;  II.  Tim.  1:  1;  4:  9,  21. 

Twelfth:  Read  Paul's  first  Epistle  to  Timothy,  and  divide  into 
sections,  with  appropriate  headings.  ^ 
1.     1:1,  2.     Apostolic  address  cmd  galutation. 
V.  1.    As  this  epistle  may  be  regarded  as  an  official  letter, 
the  Apostle  appropriately  designates  himself  by  his  solemn 
and  official  title.    Cf.  Tit.  1:1.  2;  II.  Tim.  1:1. 
This  designation  of  God  the  Father  as  "our  Saviour"  is  pecu- 
liar to  the  Pastoral  Epistles  (I.  Tim.  2:3;  4:10;  Tit.  1:3; 
2:10;   3:4).     It  occurs,  however,  also  in  Luke  1:47,  and 


1  We  also  add  a  few  ezplaaatory  notes.    The  aaalysis  ie  after  BlUcott. 


Studies  in  the  Book. 

Jude  25,  and  is  common  in  the  Septuagint.  Elsewhere  in 
the  Pastoral  Epistles  the  word  Saviour  is  used  only  of 
Christ,  Tit.  1:4;  2:13;  3:6;  II.  Tim.  1:10. 

Christ  Jesus  is  the  very  substance  and"  foundation  ot  our 
hope.  See  also  Col.  1:  27;  Eph.  2:14.  The  object  of  hope 
is:  (1)  Salvation,  I.  Thess.  5:8;  (2)  Eternal  life,  Tit.  1:2; 
(3)  The  glory  of  God,  Rom.  5: 2. 

V.  2.  The  addition  of  the  word  "mercy"  to  the  usual  form 
of  Paul's  salutations  is  peculiar  to  the  Pastoral  Epistles. 
See  II.  John  3,  and  Jude  2.  It  probably  serves  to  individ- 
ualize and  mark  the  deep  and  affectionate  interest  of  the 
Apostle  in  his  child  in  the  faith. 
.     1: 3-11.     I  exhort  thee  to  abide  still  in  EpJiesus  and  to  repress 

teaclurs  of  oilier  doctri7ie  and  would-be  teachers  of  the  law;  the 

law  is  not  for  the  righteous,  but  for  open  sinners  and  opponeiits 

of  sound  doctrine,  as  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel  shows. 

V.  4.  He  was  to  charge  these  teachers  not  to  give  heed  to 
fables  (traditions  of  the  past  based  upon  the  slightest  his- 
torical hints— the  heresy  especially  of  Jewish  teachers), 
nor  to  vague,  rambling,  interminable,  useless  genealogies. 

This  "dispensation  of  God"  is  best  taken  in  the  subjective 
sense  of  "the  stewardship"  entrusted  to  Timothy,  and  it 
here  denotes  that  which  was  Timothy's  duty  to  perform; 
everything  which  hindered  this  he  was  to  avoid. 

V.  5.  Here  we  have  a  statement  of  the  purpose  and  aim  of 
all  sound  practical  teaching. 

The  word  hea7't  is  often  used  in  Scripture  to  denote  the 
"  soul "  in  its  active  aspects,  and  may  be  regarded  as  the 
centre  both  of  the  feelings  and  emotions  (John  16:6;  Rom. 
9:2)  and  of  the  thoughts  and  imaginations,  Matt.  9:4;  15:19. 
The  Bible  transfers  the  abode  of  religion,  and  the  transac- 
tions of  the  religious  life,  to  the  heart.  The  Word  must 
pierce  the  heart  (Acts  2: 37);  the  heart  must  be  open  to  the 
Word  (Acts  16: 14);  with  the  heart  man  believeth  unto 
righteousness,  Rom.  10: 10.  It  is  the  innermost  centre,  in 
which  the  threefold  life  of  man,  as  spirit,  soul,  and  body, 
blends  together — where  the  soul  is  at  home  and  becomes 
conscious  of  all  its  doing  and  suffering.  By  it  the  moral 
condition  of  man  is  characterized  (pure,  evil,  etc.). 

Conscience:  There  occurs  a  constant  living  intercourse  of 
God  with  man,  and  the  result  of  the  commanion  is  con- 


The  First  Epistle  to  Timothy.  87 

science.  It  is  an  impulse  of  the  human  spirit,  but  this 
impulse  is  established  by  the  Divine  Spirit  testifying  itself 
to  it.  It  is  an  active  consciousness  of  a  divine  law  estab- 
lished in  man's  heart.  If  a  man  know  his  doing  to  be  in 
harmony  with  this  law  his  conscience  is  "good"  (1:5,  19), 
"pure"  (I.  Tim.  3:9;  II.  Tim.  1:3),  "void  of  offence," 
Acts  24:16.  Conscience  may  therefore  be  defined  as  the 
moral  religious  consciousness,  or  as  the  knowledge  of  one's 
self-relation  to  God. 

It  is  "faith"  which  makes  the  heart  pure  (Acts  15:9), 
and  in  so  doing  renders  the  formerly  "evil"  conscience 
"good." 

V.  7.  Their  ignorance  was'complete, — it  extended  alike  to 
the  assertions  they  made  and  the  subjects  on  which  they, 
made  them. 

v.  8.  There  is  a  fourfold  use  of  the  law:  (1)  Political,  the 
preservation  of  external  discipline;  (3)  Elencktical  (con- 
victing), the  manifestation  and  reproof  of  sins;  (3)  Peda- 
gogic, indirectly  compelling  the  sinner  to  go  to  Christ;  and 
(4)  Didactic,  instructing  in  all  internal  and  external  moral 
actions. 

The  first  use  pertains  to  unregenerate  and  obstinate  sin- 
ners; the  second  and  third  to  men  about  to  be  justified; 
the  fourth  to  those  who  are  regenerate  and  justified. 

».  11.    The  contents  of  the  Gospel  is  the  glory  of  God, 
whether  manifested  in  the  sufferings  of  Christ,  or  in  the 
riches  of  His  grace  and  mercy. 
.     1:  12-17.     I  thank  him  wJio  entrusted  that  Gospel  tome,  and 

who  was  merciful  to  me  in  my  ignorance  and  unbelief;  to  Him 

be  all  honor  ana  glory. 

V.  13.  God's  mercy  and  St.  Paul's  want  of  it  are  here  put  in 
sharpest  contrast.  Paul  does  not  seek  to  excuse  himself, 
but  wishes  to  illustrate  the  merciful  working  of  divine 
grace.  His  ignorance  was  culpable,  for  it  was  due  to  un- 
belief. 

V.  14.  The  Apostle  here  explains  how,  and  in  what  measure, 
he  obtained  mercy. 

V.  15.  The  word  "  world"  {Kosmos)  is  used  in  the  New  Tes- 
tament in  four  senses: 

(1)  The  sum  total  of  what  God  has  created,  John  17:5;  (2) 
the  abode  of  man,  I.  Tim.  6:7;  (3)  mankind,  Rom.  3:6, 


i  Studies  in  the  Book. 

19;  (4)  that  order  of  things  which  is  alienated  from  God, 
Matt.  5: 14.     It  is  best  to  use  it  here  in  the  third  sense. 

4.  1:18-20.  /  charge  thee,  son  Timothy,  to  fight  the  good  fight 
of  faith,  and  not  to  make  sldpwreck  of  it,  as  some  have  done. 

V.  18.  At  the  time  of  Timothy's  ordination  predictions  sug 
gested  by  the  Holy  Spirit  were  made,  foretelling  his  future 
zeal  and  success  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel. 

VI.  20.  This  Hymenseus  is  evidently  the  same  as  the  one 
mentioned  in  II.  Tim.  2: 17. 

This  Alexander  maybe  the  same  as  "  the  coppersmith  "  men- 
tioned in  II.  Tim.  4: 14,  but  it  is  not  likely.  This  name  was 
very  common. 

This  " delivering  unto  Satan"  was  probably  excommunica- 
tion and  a  supernatural  infliction  of  some  bodily  punish- 
ment. It  was  a  solemn  sentence  pronounced  in  the  name 
and  power  of  Jesus  Christ  (I.  Cor.  5:3-5),  upon  one  within 
the  Church  (I.  Cor.  5:  13),  some  bodily  visitation  (I.  Cor. 
5:5),  for  the  improvement  of  the  offender  (I.  Cor.  5:5; 
I.  Tim.  1 :  20),  and  the  Apostle  could  empower  others  to 
pass  such  a  sentence,  I.  Cor.  5:3,  4. 

5.  2:1-7.  1  exhort  that  prayers  be  offered  for  all,  for  this  is 
acceptable  to  Ood,  who  willeth  the  salvation  of  all  men,  and 
whose  Oospel  I  preach. 

V.  1.  Every  true  prayer  ought  to  consist  of  (1)  adoration,  (2) 
thanksgiving,  (3)  confession  of  sins,  and  (4)  petitions. 

V.  4.  Redemption  is  universal,  yet  conditional.  All  may  be 
saved,  yet  all  will  not  be  saved,  because  all  will  not  con- 
form to  God's  appointed  conditions. 

V.  6.  The  doctrine  of  the  wcan'oMS  atonement  is  here  clearly 
taught. 

6.  2:8-10.  1  desire  that  the  men  pray  reverently,  and  that  the 
women  dress  and  comport  themselves  with  modesty. 

7.  2:11-15.  A  woman  must  learn  and  not  teach,  for  two  reat- 
ons;  she  was  second  in  respect  of  creation,  and  first  in  respect 
of  transgression. 

V.  11.  Woman  is  to  learn  at  the  public  services  of  the  Church, 
without  speaking  or  attempting  to  teach.  It  is  obvious 
that  the  Apostle's  previous  instructions  (I.  Cor.  14:34,  35), 
are  here  again  in  his  thoughts.  Woman  was  permitted, 
however,  in  the  Early  Church,  to  teach  privately  those  of 
their  own  sex. 


The  First  Epistlk  to  Timothy.  89 

"What  grave  arguments  these  few  verses  supply  us 
with,  against  some  of  the  unnatural  and  unscriptural 
theories  of  modern  times."    {ElUcott.) 

V.  12.  Every  form  of  public  address  or  teaching  in  the  Church 
is  here  clearly  forbidden  as  at  variance  with  woman's 
proper  duties,  and  the  sphere  of  her  creation  and  destiny. 

«.  15.  Most  commentators  interpret  this  difficult  verse  as  in 
the  margin  of  the  Revised  Version,  that  the  woman  shall 
be  saved  by  f  ullilling  her  proper  destiny  and  acquiescing 
in  all  the  conditions  of  woman's  life.  But  it  is  better  to 
interpret  as  in  the  text  of  the  Revised  Version,  "the  child- 
bearing,"  i.  e.,  through  the  blessed  childbearing  of  the 
promised  seed  of  the  woman;  for  the  Virgin  by  giving 
birth  to  the  Saviour  was  the  means  of  salvation  to  woman. 
,     3:1-7.     Qualifications  of  a  bishop  07' 2^astor.     He  must  be  of 

irreproacliable  morals,  a  good  father  of  his  family,  and  of  good 

report. 

V.  1.  In  the  New  Testament  the  words  "bishop"  and  "elder" 
or  "presbyter"  are  applied  indifferently  to  the  same  person. 
The  word  "bishop"  or  "overseer"  was  borrowed  from  the 
Greeks,  and  pointed  to  the  office  on  the  side  of  its  duties; 
the  second,  which  marked  primarily  the  age  of  the  occu- 
pant, was  taken  from  the  Jews,  and  pointed  to  the  office 
on  the  side  of  its  gravity  and  dignity. 

V.  2.  The  meaning  of  the  expression  "the  husband  of  one 
wife"  has  been  much  contested,  and  has  been  explained  by 
different  commentators  in  tlwee  ways:  (1)  contemporaneous 
polygamy,  which  at  that  time  still  seems  to  have  prevailed; 
(3)  successive  polygamy,  whether  after  divorce,  or  after  loss 
of  first  wife,  however  happening;  (3)  Any  deviation  from 
morality  in  respect  of  marriage. 

It  is  best  to  interpret  this  passage  as  referring  to  fidelity 
to  the  marriage  vow,  in  opposition  to  every  violation  of  it, 
whether  in  actual  bigamy,  or  in  adultery,  or  in  arbitrary 
divorce  and  re-marriage. 
3:8-13.     The  deacons  must  also  be  similarly  irreproachable, 

and  of  good  report;  the  women-deacons  too  must  be  faithful. 

V.  8.    The  "deacon"  had  to  deal  primarily  with  the  temporal 
needs  of  the  Church,  and  his  office  gradually  developed 
into  that  of  an  assistant  to  the  presbyters. 
Paul  only  uses  this  word  iu  this  special  sense  in  this 


90  Studies  in  the  Book. 

passage  (3:8-13),  and  in  Phil.  1:1;  and  (feminine)  Rom. 
16:1;  thouglitheyare  alluded  toinRom.  12:7;  I.  Cor.  12:28. 

V.  11.  It  is  best  to  understand  by  tliese  "women"  "deacon- 
esses" proper,  women  deacons. 

V.  18.     This  " good  standing"  is  in  the  eyes  of  God. 

10.  3:14-16.  I  write  this  to  guard  thy  conduct  in  the  Church 
of  the  living  God;  without  controversy  great  is  the  mystery  of 
godliness. 

V.  16.  He  who  was  manifested  in  the  flesh  is  the  Son  of  God. 
Here  we  have  a  definite  statement  of  the  pre  existence  of 
Christ  according  to  his  divine  nature. 

It  is  very  likely  that  this  verse  is  a  quotation  from  some  well- 
known  Christian  hymn.  (See  the  Greek  text  of  Westcott 
and  Hort.) 

11.  4:1-5.  In  the  latter  times  men  sJiall  fall  away  from  the  faith, 
and  shall  teach  principles  of  abstinence  which  are  not  approved 
of  God. 

12.  4:6-11.     Beject  all  idle  teachings  and  discussion;  exercise 
thyself  unto  godliness,  which  is  profitable  for  all  things. 

13.  4: 12-16  Let  not  thy  youth  induce  contempt;  be  an  ensam- 
ple  in  all  things.  Neglect  not  thy  spiritual  gifts,  but  persevere 
in  all  thy  duties. 

14.  5:1-8.  Behavior  of  Timothy  toward  the  elder  and  younger 
members  of  the  Church.  Distinctions  to  be  observed  in  the 
support  of  widows. 

Some  maintain  that  vv.  3-8  refer  to  the  support  which  widows 
are  to  receive,  and  that  vv.  9-10  relate  to  their  qualifica- 
tions for  an  ofllce  in  the  Church. 

15.  5: 9-16.  Widows  to  be  enrolled  on  the  list  must  be  sixty  years 
of  age,  and  of  good  character;  refuse  younger  widows,  whom 
I  desire  rather  to  marry,  and  not  to  give  offence. 

16.  5:17-20.  Let  the  elders  who  rule  well  receive  double  honor; 
be  thou  guarded  in  receiving  accusations  against  them.  Be- 
buke  sinners. 

17.  5: 21-25.     Be  not  partial;  do  not  ordain  men  too  hastily;  some 
men's  sins  are  sooner  found  out,  some  later;  so  their  good  works. 
V.  22.     Some  think  this  laying  on  of  hands  refers  to  the  abso- 
lution of  penitents,  but  this  interpretation  is  questionable. 

V.  23.  This  verse  shows  that  Timothy  was  in  delicate  health, 
and  feeble  in  body. 

18.  6:1,  2.     The  duty  of  Christian  servants. 


The  Fiest  Epistle  to  Timothy.  91 

19.  6:3-10,  If  any  one  teacli  differently  he  is  puffed  up,  fosters 
disputes,  and  counts  godliness  a  mere  (jain.  Let  us  he  con- 
tented; riches  are  a  snare  and  a  source  of  many  sorrows. 

20.  6:11-16.  Follow  after  rigJdeousness  and  Christian  virtues, 
fight  the  good  fight,  and  in  Christ's  name  keep  his  commands, 
even  till  his  glorious  coming. 

21.  6: 17-19.  Charge  the  rich  not  to  trust  in  riches,  but  in  God, 
and  to  lay  v,p  in  store  a  good  foundation. 

22.  6:  30,  21.  Guard  thy  deposit,  and  avoid  all  false  knowledge. 
Benediction. 

Thirteenth:  Give  an  oral  statement  of  the  contents  of  the 
Epistle,  chapter  by  chapter. 

Fourteenth:  For  Commentaries  on  the  English  text  of  the 
Pastoral  Epistles  see  EDicott's  Handy  Commentary,  the  Speak- 
er's Commentary,  Van  Oosterzee  in  Schaff-Lange's  Commen- 
tary, Fairbairn,  and  the  Cambridge  Bible. 

Fifteenth:  On  the  Greek  text  we  would  recommend  (1)  Boise, 
(2)  EUicott,  then  (3)  Alford,  Bengel,  Wordsworth,  Huther  in 
Meyer. 


STUDY    XI. 

The  Teaching  of  the  First  Epistle  to  Timothy. 

First:  The  importance  of  the  study  of  the  Pastoral  Epistles  to  a 

clergyman. 
Second:    Text-books  on  Pastoral  Theology  are  valuable,  but 

Scripture  is  the  best  text-book  of  all. 
Thikd:  The  Pastoral  Epistles  the  best  directory  for  pastoral 

work. 
Fourth:  They  teach  the  pastor,  especially  the  importance  of 

four  things: 

(1)  Faithfulness  in  snjall  things. 

(2)  The  use  of  the  simplest  means  of  operation. 

(3)  Purity  of  life. 

(4)  Purity  of  doctrine. 

Fifth:  Study  the  First  Epistle  to  Timothy  as  a  whole,  section 
by  section,  and  write  out  what  Paul  teaches  concerning  the 
Doctrine  of  God. 

(1)  The  Attributes  of  God. 

(2)  The  doctrine  of  God  the  Father. 

(3)  God  the  Son. 

(4)  God  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Sixth:  Develop  the  teaching  of  Paul  in  this  Epistle  concerning 
the  Person  and  Work  of  Christ. 

(1)  His  names. 

(2)  The  true  humanity  of  Christ. 

(3)  His  true  divinity. 

(4)  State  of  humiliation. 

(5)  State  of  exaltation. 

(6)  His  atoning  work. 

Seventh*  Examine  the  whole  Epistle  carefully  and  write  out 
concisely  what  Paul  teaches  with  reference  to  the  Duties  of  a 
Pastor. 

as 


The  Teaching  of  the  First  Epistle  to  Timothy.      93 

The  Pastoral  Office. 

(1)  The  sacred  ministry  is  of  God,  1:1,  11,  12,  18;  2:7;  etc. 

(2)  Is  aa  office  of  oversight,  3:1. 

(3)  Of  dignity,  1:11;  3:1. 

(4)  Of  great  responsibility,  1:11;  6: 13. 

(5)  He  who  enters  upon  this  office  must  have  an  inner  call, 
1:1,12,14. 

(6)  And  the  external  call,  1:1,  12;  4: 14. 

(7)  Must  have  considerable  Christian  experience,  3:G. 

(8)  Seek  the  office  in  an  humble  spirit,  3:1;  5: 22. 

(9)  Must  be  solemnly  set  aside  to  the  office  by  the  laying  on 
of  the  hands  of  the  presbytery,  4: 14;  5:22. 

(10)  Pastors  need  not  expect  to  receive  the  same  honors  or 
salaries,  5: 17. 

The  Pastor's  qualifications. 

(1)  He  must  be  a  true  Christian,  1:2.  18;  4:12. 

(2)  And  realize  his  weakness,  and  need  of  grace  and  mercy, 
1:2,  16;  4:16;  5:21;  6:13,  14. 

(3)  Recognizes  the  mercy  and  grace  of  God  in  his  calling, 
1:12  14. 

(4)  Apt  to  teach,  1:7;  3:2. 

(5)  Who  is  able  to  rule,  3:4,  5. 

(6)  And  has  had  much  Christian  experience,  3.6. 

(7)  Must  have  been  rightly  instructed  in  the  faith,  4:6,  12,  16, 

(8)  Must  be  an  example  in  purity  of  life,  4: 12. 

(9)  And  in  purity  of  doctrine,  4: 12. 

(10)  Must  have  the  proper  intellectual  and  spiritaal  gifts, 
4:15,  16. 

(11)  A  true  student,  4: 15. 

(12)  One  who  recognizes  the  great  responsibility  of  his  of- 
fice, 4:16. 

(13)  And  is  careful  whom  he  recommends  to  the  office  of  the 
ministry,  5:22. 

His  Duties  as  Preacher. 

(1)  Not  to  teach  a  different  doctrine,  but  the  sound  doctrine 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which  is  according  to  godliness, 
1:4;  4:7;  6:4. 

(2)  Not  to  give  heed  to  fables  and  questions  that  minister  to 
disputes,  1:  4;  6:4. 

(3)  To  avoid  vain  talking  in  the  pulpit,  1:6. 


94  Studies  in  the  Book. 

(4)  To  investigate  subjects  in  the  light  of  God's  Word,  before 
you  act  the  part  of  a  teacher,  1 :  7. 

(5)  Must  preach  Christ  Jesus,  as  our  Redeemer,  2:6. 

(6)  Being  a  true  and  faithful  teacher,  2:  7. 

(7)  Must  know  how  to  discuss  the  practical  issues  of  life, 
2:8-11;  3:14,  15;  4:6,7,  11;  6:17-19. 

(8)  Must  give  instruction  as  to  the  manner  in  which  the 
affairs  of  the  Church  are  to  be  carried  on,  3: 8-13,  14,  15. 

(9)  Must  preach  the  pure  doctrine  of  the  Gospel  with  respect 
to  a  false  asceticism,  and  infringement  upon  Christian 
liberty,  4: 16. 

(10)  Must  manifest  himself  by  his  sound  doctrine  as  a  good 
minister  cf  Christ  Jesus,  4:  6. 

(11)  Give  heed  to  the  public  reading  and  exposition  of  Scrip- 
ture, 4:13. 

(12)  Be  earnest  in  exhortation,  4: 13. 

(13)  In  every  sermon  preaching  to  the  edification  (teaching) 
of  the  congregation,  4: 13. 

(14)  Prepare  his  sermons  carefully,  and  seek  to  make  his 
progress  in  knowledge  and  experience  manifest  to  all,  4:15. 

(15)  Ever  watching  the  character  of  his  teaching  and  testing 
it  by  the  Word  of  God,  4: 16. 

(16)  Presen*  at  times  the  teaching  of  God's  Word  with  refer- 
ence to  the  duties  of  the  Church  to  the  widow,  the  orphan, 
and  the  poor  in  general,  5: 4-16. 

(17)  Reprove  those  who  sin,  without  prejudice'or  partiality. 
5:20,  21. 

(18)  Discuss  at  suitable  times,  if  you  have  mastered  the  sub- 
ject, the  teaching  of  the  Bible  on  the  great  social  questions 
that  agitate  modern  society,  6:1,  2. 

(19)  In  your  sermons  do  not  preach  self,  or  your  own  opin- 
ions merely,  doting  about  questionings  and  disputes  of 
words,  6:4. 

(20)  Speak  plainly  to  the  rich  of  their  opportunities  and  re- 
sponsibilities, 6: 17-19. 

(21)  Avoid  all  sensational  preaching,  and  all  scientific,  and 
philosophical  dissertations  in  the  pulpit,  6:20,  21. 

His  duties  as  the  Leader  of  tJie  Services  of  the  Church. 

(1)  He  must  offer  prayers  for  all  men,  2:1,  2. 

(2)  For  those  in  authority  in  Church  and  State,  2:2. 

(3)  Conduct  all  things  befitting  the  house  of  God,  3: 15. 


The  Teaching  op  the  First  Epistle  to  Timothy.      95 

(4)  Watch  that  no  improper  persons  preach  to  the  congrega- 
tion, 1:3;  2:12. 
His  duties  as  a  Pastor. 

(1)  Continually  seek  grace,  because  a  sinner,  1:2;  6:21. 

(2)  Mercy,  because  in  misery,  1.2. 

(3)  Have  peace  with  God,  1 : 2. 

(4)  Holding  the  faith  (1: 18),  and  not  making  shipwreck  of  it, 
1:  19;  4:1. 

(5)  Must  war  the  good  warfare,  1: 18;  6: 12. 

(6)  Must  be  without  reproach,  3:2. 

(7)  Lead  a  life  of  chastity,  3:2. 

(8)  Temperate,   sober-minded,  orderly,  given  to  hospitality, 
3:2. 

(9)  Not  quarrelsome  over  wine,  no  striker,  -but  gentle,  not 
contentious,  3;  3. 

(10)  No  lover  of  money,  3:3;  6: 10. 

(11)  Ruling  well  his  own  house,  having  his  children  in  sub- 
jection with  all  gravity,  3:4. 

(12)  Know  how  to  take  care  of  the  church  of  God,  3:5. 

(13)  Not  puffed  up  with  pride,  or  conceited  in  knowledge,  3:6. 
■(14)  He  must  have  good  testimony  from  them  that  are  with- 
out, 3:7. 

(15)  Must  insist  that  the  church  officers  have  the  proper 
spiritual  qualifications,  3:8-13. 

(16)  Nourish  himself  in  the  words  of  the  faith,  and  of  the 
good  doctrine,  4:  6. 

(17)  Have  nothing  to  do  with  profane  and  silly  fables,  1 :4;  4:7. 

(18)  Act  very  discreetly,  especially  if  young  and  inexperi- 
enced, 4: 12. 

(19)  Live   as  an  example  to  believers,  in  conversation,  in 
manner  of  life,  in  love,  in  faith,  in  purity,  4: 12. 

(20)  Remember  constantly  the  solemn  vows  of  ordination, 
■  4:14. 

(21)  Seek  by  prayer,  meditation,   and  the  study  of  God's 
Word  to  increase  in  spiritual  gifts,  4: 14. 

(22)  Be  diligent  in  all  pastoral  duties,  4:15. 

(23)  Give  thy  whole  soul  to  the  work  of  saving  souls,  4:15. 

(24)  Make  progress  in  knowledge,  experience,  and  ability, 
4:  15. 

(25)  Be  faithful  and  persevere,  4: 16. 


96  Studies  in  the  Book. 

(26)  Seek  the  salvation  of  your  bearers,  not  their  good  opin- 
ion, 4:16. 

(27)  Exhort  the  old  men  as  fathers,  5:1. 

(28)  The  younger  as  brethren,  5: 1. 

(29)  The  older  women  as  mothers,  5:2. 

(30)  The  younger  as  sisters,  in  all  purity,  5:  2. 

(31)  Look  after  the  poor,  especially  elderly  widows  who  have 
no  friends,  5:4-16. 

(32)  Is  to  reprove  sin  openly,  5:20.  » 

(38)  Is  to  perform  all  the  duties  of  his  office  without  par- 
tiality, 5:21. 

(34)  Is  not  to  connive  at  other  men's  sins,  5:22. 

(35)  Is  to  flee  all  kinds  of  evil,  6:11. 

(86)  Follow  after  righteousness,  godliness,  faith,  love,  pa- 
tience, meekness,  3:11. 

(37)  Fight  the  good  light  of  the  faith,  6: 12. 

(38)  Lay  hold  of  the  life  eternal,  6:12. 

(39)  Guard  that  which  is  committed  unto  him,  6: 30. 
His  duties  in  Ms  personal  life. 

(1)  Seek  a  pure  heart,  1:5. 

(2)  A  good  conscience,  1:  5,  18. 
(8)  Pure  and  simple  faith,  1 :  5. 

(4)  Must  realize  his  sinfulness,  1: 16. 

(5)  A  true  husband,  3:2. 

(6)  A  good  father,  3:4. 

(7)  Must  take  bodily  exercise,  4: 8. 

(8)  But  above  all  exercise  himself  unto  godliness,  4:7,  10. 

(9)  Be  diligent  as  a  student,  4: 15. 

(10)  Take  heed  to  his  daily  life,  4: 16. 

(11)  Seek  the  salvation  of  his  own  soul,  4:16. 

(12)  Keep  himself  pure,  5:22. 

(13)  When  sick  use  proper  medicine,  5:23. 

(14)  Be  contented  with  his  lot,  6: 6-8. 

(15)  Do  not  desire  to  be  rich,  6:  9. 

(16)  Be  faithful  in  all  thy  duties,  6:20. 

Eighth:  We  have  developed  this  last  topic  so  fully  in  order  to 
illustrate  the  riches  of  God's  Word  and  to  show  that  it  is 
"profitable  for  teaching,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  for  in- 
struction which  is  in  righteousness;  that  the  man  of  God  may 
be  complete,  furnished  completely  unto  every  good  work," 
II.  Tim.  3:16, 17. 


The  Teaching  op  the  First  Epistle  to  Timothy.      97 

Ninth:  Make  a  careful  comparison  between  the  Authorised  and 

Revised  Versions  of  this  Epistle,    and  note    the    principal 

changes. 
Tenth:  Make  a  special  study  of  the  marginal  readings  of  the 

Revised  Version,  and  note  the  most  important  changes  in 

meaning. 


STUDY     XII. 

The  Epistle  to  Titus. 

First:  We  have  already  seen  that  the  Epistle  to  Titus  was  writ- 
ten by  Paul  apparently  but  a  short  time  after  his  visit  to  the 
island  of  Crete  (1:5),  while  on  his  way  to  Nicopolis  to  winter, 
3: 12.     (See  Study  X,  Statement  Sixth  and  Eighth.) 
Second:  We  have  a  right  to  infer  that  it  was  written  during  the 
period  intervening  between  Paul's  first  and  second  imprison- 
ment at  Rome,  possibly  in  67  A.  D.,  but  a  short  time  before 
his  second  imprisonment. 
Thihd:  Read  carefully  all  the  passages,  in  chronologicaf  order, 
in  the  New  Testament,  referring  to  Titus  (Gal.  2: 1,  3;  II.  Cor. 
2:13;  7:6,  13,  14;  8:6,  16,  23;  12:18),   together  with  this  whole 
Epistle  and  II.  Tim.  4:10,  and  from  the  facts  obtained  give  us 
a  brief  life  of  Titus. 
Fourth:  Give  a  brief  description  of  the  island  of  Crete,  and 

write  a  brief  history  of  its  people. 
Fifth:  What  opportunities  did  the  inhabitants  of  Crete  have  of 
hearing  the  Gospel? 

Read  Acts  2: 11;  27:7-13;  also  the  Epistle  to  Titus. 
Sixth:  Read  the  Epistle  carefully  and  find  out  the  reason  why 

it  was  written. 
Seventh:  Read  carefully  the  Epistle,  divide  into  sections,  with 
•  appropriate  headings.^ 
1,     1:1-4.     Ajyostolic  address  and  salutation. 
V.  1.     Xliis  long  passage  requires^a  careful  analysis  and  is 
worthy  of  close  investigation. 

"The  Apostle's  calling  had  for  its  destination  the  faith 
of  the  elect  and  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  the  basis 
on  which  all  this  rested  was  the  hope  of  eternal  life." 
(EUicott.) 


1  We  also  add  a  few  explanatory  notes.    The  analysis  is  after  Ellicott. 


The  Epistlr  to  Titus.  99 

V.  2.  Faith  and  knowledge  are  great  things  in  themselves, 
but  they  rest  on  a  background  of  promise  and  hope. 

These  "times  eternal"  followed  the  creation  and  the 
fall,  Gen.  3:15. 

V.  3.  The  title  "our  Saviour"  is  applied  to  God  the  Father, 
as  Deing  the  origin  of  the  scheme  of  salvation,  and  as 
having  sent  his  Son  to  be  the  Saviour  of  the  world. 

V.  4.     Of  Titus  comparatively  little  is  known.     His  name 
does  not  occur  in  the  Acts.     From  Gal.  2: 8  we  learn  that 
he  was  a  Greek,  and  this  verse  implies  that  he  was  con- 
verted by  Paul  himself. 
1 : 5-9.     1  left  thee  in  Crete  to  ordain  elders,  who  must  have  all 

high  moral  qualifications  and  teach  sound  doctrine. 

V.  5.  When  Paul  left  Titus  in  Crete  can  only  be  a  matter  of 
conjecture.  The  style  of  the  language  of  the  Epistle,  the 
historical  notices,  and  the  advanced  state  of  Christianity 
in  the  island,  alike  seem  to  lead  us  to  fix  the  date  of  the 
Epistle  near  to  that  of  I.  Tim.,  and  of  this  journey  as  not 
very  long  after  the  Apostle's  release  from  his  first  impris- 
onment at  Rome.     (EUicott.) 

V.  7.  A  steward  of  God  has  at  least  some  authority  and 
power,  something  is  entrusted  to  his  fidelity  and  skill;  he 
is  not  the  slave  of  men,  not  a  drudge,  only  let  him  be  a 
true  steward.     (Bengel.) 

V.  8.  This  hospitality  would  be  especially  shown  when 
Christians  traveling  from  one  place  to  another  were  re- 
ceived and  forwarded  on  their  journey  by  their  brethren. 

V.  9.  There  is  therefore  such  a  thing  as  a  true  Christian 
doctrine  agreeing  with  Apostolic  teaching. 

Two  things  are  required  of  a  faithful  teacher:  (1)  to  know 
what  the  true  and  sound  doctrine  is,  and  to  have  the  power 
of  giving  instruction  in  it;  and  (2)  to  be  able  to  confute 
and  convict  gainsayers  and  opponents,  of  their  error  and 
falsehood. 

.    1: 10-16.     There  are  many  evil  teachers  and  seducers:  the 
Cretan  character  has  always  been  bad,  so  rebuke  and  warn 

them.     In  the  unbelieving  and  polluted  there  is  neither  purity, 

faith,  nor  obedience. 

«.  12.  The  Gospel  often  meets  with  signal  success  among 
the  depraved  and  gross,  while  the  inteltectual  prove  stub- 
born against  its  cordial  reception. 


100  Studies  in  the  Book. 

V.  15.    Moral  pollution  bedims  the  eye  of  the  soul. 

4.  2: 1-5.  Charge  the  aged  men  to  be  sober  and  faithful;  the 
aged  women  to  be  holy  themselves  and  to  train  the  younger 
women. 

5.  2:6-10.  Exhort  young  men  to  be  sober,  being  thyself  a  pat- 
tern; exhort  servants  both  to  please  their  masters  and  to  be 
trusty. 

6.  2:11-15.  The  grace  of  God  has  appeared,  and  teaches  us  to 
be  godly  in  this  world,  and  to  look  forward  to  our  Redeemer's 
coming. 

7.  3:1-7.  Teach  men  to  be  obedient;  we  were  once  the  contrary, 
hut  have  been  saved  and  regenerated  through  God's  mercy  in 
Jesus  Christ. 

V.  5.     (1)  God  the  Father  through  his  mercy  saved  us,  not  we 
ourselves. 

(2)  Paul  here  speaks  of  baptism  as  the  means  whereby  we 
receive  the  saving  grace  of  Christ.  It  is  all  folly  to 
try  to  explain  away  the  true  and  literal  meaning  of  the 
passage.  Paul  can  say  of  baptism  in  the  fullest  sense  of 
the  words,  that  it  is  "the  washing  of  regeneration,"  as 
he  had  already  said  "as  many  of  you  as  are  baptized 
into  Christ  did  put  on  Christ"  (Gal.  3:27),  "definitely 
put  him  on,  entered  into  vital  union  with  him, — a  blessed 
state,  which  as  it  involved  remission  of  sins,  and  a  cer- 
tain title,  for  the  time  being,  to  resurrection  and  salva- 
tion, so,  if  abided  in,  most  surely  leads  to  final  salva- 
tion."    (Ellicott.) 

(3)  The  agent  of  the  new  birth  or  regeneration  is  the  Holy 
Spirit,  which  renews  the  heart  and  mind. 

(4)  There  is  but  one  new  birth,   one  regeneration  in  a 
Christian's  whole  life,  and  so  there  is  but  one  baptism, 
no  second  baptism,  and  no  second  new  birth,  although 
there  may  be  the  necessity  of  many  awakenings. 
There  are  three  lives  belonging  to  every  true  Christian, 

and  there  are  three  births  corresponding  thereto.  (1) 
Natural  life,  born  of  Adam;  (2)  Spiritual  life,  born  of 
water  and  the  Spirit;  (3)  Life  of  eternal  glory,  born  of  the 
Resurrection  at  last  day. 
V.  6.  In  this  passage  the  work  of  salvation  is  described  as 
the  work  of  the  Blessed  Trinity. 


The  Episti.k  to  Titus.  101 

8.  3:8-11.     Teach  men  to  maintain  good  workx.  /moid  idle  ques- 
tions, and  shun  an  obstinate  Jieretic. 

9.  3:12-14.     Come  to  meat  Nicopolis;  bring  Zennn  and  Apollot. 
Our  brethren  must  not  be  unfruitful. 

10.  3:15.     Salutations  and  benediction. 

E  ghth:  Give  an  oral  statement  of  the  contents  of  the  Epistle, 
fhapter  by  chapter. 

Ninth:  Talie  up  each  of  the  following  topics^  or  those  in  which 
you  are  especially  interested,  and  examine  the  Epistle  care- 
fully with  reference  to  Paul's  teaching  on  these  subjects. 

(1)  The  difference  between  an  Apostle  and  a  regularly  ordained 
minister. 

(2)  The  elect  of  God. 

(3)  Godliness. 

(4)  Eternal  life. 

(5)  God  the  Father  our  Saviour  (in  what  sense?) 

(6)  Christ  Jesus  our  Saviour. 

(7)  Elder  and  bishop. 

(8)  The  qualifications  of  a  minister. 

(9)  The  importance  of  sound  doctrine. 

(10)  Some  men's  mouths  must  be  stopped.     Whose?    Why? 
How? 

(11)  Purity  and  impurity. 

(12)  Proper  training  for  young  women. 

(13)  Proper  training  for  young  men. 

(14)  How  many  of  us  are  not  servants?    and  what  is  our  duty? 

(15)  Paul's  classification  of  our  duties. 

(1)  Duties  to  self — live  soberly. 

(2)  Duties  to  our  fellow-men, — live  righteously. 

(3)  Duties  to  God,— live  godly. 

(16)  Difference  between  this  present  world  and  "the  world  to 
come." 

(17)  Our  duties  as  citizens. 

(18)  The  way  of  Salvation. 

(19)  Baptism  as  a  means  of  grace. 

(20)  Justification. 

(21)  Why  must  the  believer  maintain  good  works? 

(22)  How  are  we  to  treat  false  and  heretical  teachers? 

1  These  topics  are  not  arranged  systematically,  but  selected  in  the  order 
oi  their  occurrence  in  the  Epistle. 


STUDY     XIII. 

The  Second  Epistle  to  Timothy. 

First:  We  have  alreadj''  seen  that  Paul  wrote  his  Second  Epistle 
to  Timothy  during  his  second  imprisonment  at  Rome,  a  very 
short  time  before  his  martyrdom,  after  his  first  trial,  probably 
in  67  or  68  A.  D.    (See  Study  X.,  statement  seventh  and  eighth.) 

Second:  Where  Timothy  was  at  the  time  cannot  be  positively 
decided,  but  it  seems  that  he  was  at  Ephesus  (1:15-18;  4:19; 
2: 17),  the  scene  of  his  appointed  labors,  I.  Tim.  1:  3. 

Third:  Read  the  Epistle  carefully  and  note  the  reason  why  the 
Epistle  was  written,  and  what  object  Paul  had  in  view. 

Fourth:  "  In  no  portion  of  the  writings  of  Paul  is  there  a  loftier 
tone  of  Christian  courage  than  that  which  pervades  thede,  so 
to  speak,  dying  words;  nowhere  a  holier  rapture  than  that 
with  which  the  reward  and  crown  of  faithful  labor  is  contem- 
plated as  now  exceeding  nigh  at  hand."     {Ellicott.) 

Fifth:  Read  the  Epistle  carefully,  and  divide  into  sections  with 
appropriate  headings.^ 

1.     1:1,2.     Apostolic  address  and  salutation. 
%.     1 : 3-7.     1  bear  thee  ever  in^my  memory,  and  call  to  mind  the 
faith  that  is  in,  thee  and  thy  family.     Stir  up  the  gift  of  God, 
which  is  in  thee. 

3.  1:8-14.  Do  not  then  shrink  from  afflictions,  for  the  sake  of 
him  who  abolished  death.  1  am  his  preacher,  and  know  that  he 
will  keep  my  deposit;  guard  thine. 

4.  1 :  15-18.  They  which  are  in  Asia  all  deserted  me.  The  Lord 
give  mercy  at  the  last  day  unto  Onesiphorus. 

V.  16.  Onesiphorus  had  showed  mercy  to  Paul;  the  Apostle 
in  turn  prays  that  mercy  may  be  granted  to  his  household. 
It  is  highly  probable  (1:18;  4:19)  that  Onesiphorus  was 
now  dead. 


1  We  also  had  a  few  explanatory  note*.     The  aaalyek  ie  after  Bllieolt. 
102  ' 


The  Second  Epistle  to  Timothy.  103 

V.  18.  The  Romish  doctrine  of  praying  for  the  dead  has  no 
foundation  in  this  passage,  for  this  praj^er  may  surely  be 
offered  for  a  man  while  still  living  with  as  much  propriety 
as  after  his  death. 

5.  2:1-7.  Be  strong,  faithful,  and  suffer  Jiordship.  No  one, 
whether  soldier,  athlete,  or  husbandman,  reaps  reward  without 
toil. 

6.  2:8-13.  Bemember  Christ  and  hii  resurrection;  I svffer  for 
the  elect's  sake;  if  we  endure,  he  will  reward  us. 

7.  2:14-26.  Charge  men  to  avoid  babblingg,  which  really  lead 
to  the  subversion  of  faith.-  God  knows  his  own.  Folloio  vrac- 
tieal  religion,  be  meek  and  eschew  contentions. 

8.  3:1-9.  In  the  last  days  there  shall  be  every  form  of  vice. 
Avoid  all  examples  of  tuch;  they  ever  strive  to  seduce  others 
and  thwart  the  truth. 

9.  3:10-17.  Thou  knowest  alike  my  faith  and  sufferings.  Evil 
meii  shall  increase,  but  do  thou  hold  fast  to  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
ichich  will  make  thee  wise  and  perfect. 

V.  16.  We  have  a  right  to  infer  from  this  passage  the  im- 
portant truth  that  every  separate  portion  of  the  Bible  is 
inspired,  and  forms  a  living  portion  of  a  living  and  or- 
ganic whole.  (On  Inspiration  see  "Studies  in  the  Book," 
First  Series,  pp.  16-18). 

10.  4:1-8.  1  solemnly  charge  thee  to  be  acti'oe  and  urgent,  for 
evil  teachers  will  abound.  Discharge  thy  ministry;  mine  is 
well  nigh  done,  and  my  reward  is  ready. 

11.  4: 9-18.  Come  to  me;  all  except  Luke  are  absent  on  missions. 
Beware  of  Alexander.  At  my  first  trial  my  friends  deserted 
me,  but  the  Lord  stood  by  me. 

12.  4:19-21.     Salutations  and  personal  notices. 

13.  4:22.     Benediction. 

Sixth:  Give  an  oral  statement  of  the  contents  of  thelEpistle, 
chapter  by  chapter. 

Seventh:  Take  up  each  of  the  following  topics,  or  those  in 
which  you  are  especially  interested,  and  examine  the  Epistle 
carefully  with  reference  to  Paul's  teaching  on  those  subjects. 

(1)  The  doctrine  of  God  the  Father. 

(2)  Of  God  the  Son. 

(3)  Of  God  the  Holy  Ghost. 

(4)  Of  the  Person  of  Christ. 

(5)  Of  the  Work  of  Christ. 


104  Studies  in  the  Book. 

(6)  The  nature  of  the  Conscience. 

(7)  Prayer. 

(8)  The  value  of  ordination. 

(9)  The  Work  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

(10)  Faith. 

(11)  The  office  of  the  Ministry. 

(12)  Qualifications  for  the  office  of  the  Ministry. 

(13)  Repentance. 

(14)  The  snare  of  the  devil. 

(15)  Inspiration  of  the  Scriptures. 

(16)  The  day  of  Judgment. 

Eighth:  We  are  now  ready  to  sum  up  the  results  of  our  Studies 
in  the  Book. 

Ninth:  All  the  different  types  of  doctrine  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment may  be  arranged  under  four  heads: 

(1)  The  Teaching  of  Jesus. 

(2)  The  Petrine  type  of  teaching. 

(3)  The  Pauline  type. 

(4)  The  Johannine  type. 

Tenth:  Under  the  Teaching  of  Jesus  we  include  the  teaching  of 
our  Saviour  as  recorded  in  the  Four  Gospels.  (See  "  Studies 
in  the  Book,"  First  Series.) 

Eleventh:  Under  the  Petrine  type  we  include  the  teaching  of 
James,  I.  Peter,  Jude,  and  II.  Peter. 

Twelfth:  Under  the  Pauline  type  we  include  the  teaching  of 
the  fourteen  Epistles  of  St.  Paul,  studied  in  chronological 
order.     See  "  Studies  in  the  Book,"  Second  and  Third  Series. 

Thirteenth:  Under  the  Johannine  type  we  include  the  teach- 
ing of  the  three  Epistles  of  John,  of  the  Book  of  Revelation, 
and  of  that  part  of  the  Gospel  of  John  which  records  his  own 
sayings.    (See  "Studies  in  the  Book,"  First  Series.) 

Fourteenth:  For  the  Advanced  Student  we  would  suggest  the 
following  outline  of  Studies: 
(1)  The  Pauline  Theology  (Doctrine  of  God). 
(3)  The  Pauline  Anthropology  (Doctrine  of  Man). 

(3)  The  Pauline  Christology  (Person  of  Christ). 

(4)  The  Pauline  Soteriology  (Work  of  Christ). 

(5)  The  Pauline  Pneumatology  (Work  of  Holy  Spirit). 

(6)  The  Pauline  Ecclesiology  (Doctrine  of  Church). 

(7)  The  Pauline  Eschatology  (Last  Things). 

Fifteenth:  All  these  topics  can  also  be  investigated  according 


The  Second  Epistle  to  Timothy.  105 

(1)  The  teaching  of  Jesus;   (2)  The  teaching  of  Peter;  (3)  The 

teaching  of  John. 
Sixteenth:  The  special  science  which  aims  at  producing  dis- 

tiilctly  the  teaching  of  the  different  books  of  the  Bible  is  known 

by  the  name  of  "Biblical  Theology." 
Seventeenth:  As  the  Bible  consists  of  two  parts,  we  may  speak 

(1)  of  the  Biblical  Theology  of  the  Old  Testament;^  and  (2) 

The  Biblical  Theology  of  the  New  Testament  '^ 


1  See  my  "  Biblical  Theology  of  the  Old  Testament,"    Based  on  Oehler, 
Fleming  H.  Revell,  Chicago  and  New  York. 

2  My  "Biblical  Theology  of  the  JS^ew  Testament,"  will  appear  .n  1891. 
Fleming  H.  Revell.  Chicago  and  New  York. 


INDBX. 


Page. 

Atonement , 22,  23,  62.  63,  69,  75,  76 

Biblical  Theology ' 104,  105 

Books  recommended:  On  Colossians 18 

On  Ephesians 31 

On  Philemon 42 

On  Philippians 49 

On  Hebrews 71 

On  Pastoral  Epistles '. 91 

Christ,  doctrine  of  Person  of 14,  15,  21,  22,  28,  73,  74,  77,  78 

Doctrine  of  Work  of 15,  22,  33,  75,  76,  78,  79 

Three-fold  office  of 23 

Humiliation  of . .    46,  47,  74 

Intercession  of 67 

Prophetic  office  of  75 

Is  our  High  Priest 67,  75,  76 

Exaltation  of 74,  75,  79 

Eegal  office  of 76 

Christology,  of  Colossians 14,  15,  21,  22 

of  Ephesians 28 

of  Hebrews 73.  74,  77.  78 

Church,  doctrine  of  the 35-38 

Colossian  heresy 11,12.  16 

Colossians,  Epistle  to  the 9-18 

Best  Commentaries  on • . .  18 

Teaching  of  the  Epistle 19-24 

Christology  of 21,  22 

Soteriology  of 22,  23 

Divinity  of  Christ 21,22,  73,  77 

Duties  of  the  Christian 19,  20 

ofaPastor 93-96 

107 


108  Index. 


Ephesians,  Epistle  to  the .25-30 

Best  Commentaries  on 31 

Teaching  of 33-39 

Exaltation  of  Christ . : .....74,75,79 

Father,  doctrine  of  the 33,  34 

God  the  Father,  doctrine  of 33,  34 

God  the  Son,  doctrine  of .21,22,73,  77,  78 

God  the  Holy  Ghost,  doctrine  of.... 34,  35 

God-Man,  Jesus  is  the 22,  73,  74 

Hades... 30 

Hebrews,  Epistle  to  the , 52-71 

Best  Commentaries  on 71 

Teaching  of  the  Epistle 72-81 

Christology  of 73,  74,  77,  78 

Soteriology  of 75,  76 

High  Priesthood  of  Christ 67,  75,  76,  77 

Holy  Ghost,  doctrine  of 34,  35 

Humiliation  of  Christ 46,  47,  74 

Intercession  of  Christ -....67 

Mediator,  Jesus  is  our 22,  23 

Melchizedek , ..66 

Ministerial  office 93-96 

Pastor,  duties  of . .  .93-96 

Pastoral  Epistles,  Commentaries  on 91 

Person  of  Christ,  doctrine  of 21,  22,  73,  74 

Philemon,  Epistle  to 40-42 

Best  Commentaries  on 42 

Philippians,  Epistle  to  the 43-49 

Best  Commentaries  on 49 

Teaching  of  the  Epistle... ...50,  51 

Priesthood  of  Christ. 67,  75,  76 

Prophetic  office  of  Christ 75 

Propitiation , 62,  63 

Kegal  office  of  Christ 76 

Soteriology,  of  Colossians 22,  23 

of  Hebrews 75,  76 

Three-fold  office  of  Christ 23,  75,  76 

Timothy,  the  First  Epistle  to. 82-91 

Teaching  of c 92-97 

Best  Commentaries 91 


Index.  109 

Page. 

Timothy,  Second  Epistle  to 102-105 

Titus,  Epistle  to. 98-101 

Trinity,  doctrine  of  the 35 

Wicked,  no  restoration  of  the 28 

Work  of  Christ,  doctrine  of 22,  23,  75,  76,  78 


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